NATO nations unite against Trump’s Greenland‑linked tariff proposal

WASHINGTON, DC: Several NATO countries publicly pushed back on Sunday, January 18, against President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, which were tied to his renewed push for US control over Greenland. Eight European allies issued a joint statement warning that the move risked damaging transatlantic relations and alliance unity. 

The European Union also convened an emergency meeting following Trump’s announcement. The issue had drawn criticism from European officials and bipartisan concern from US lawmakers as well.

NATO allies and EU officials respond to Trump's tariff threat

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on Sunday criticizing President Trump’s tariff threats and affirming support for Denmark and Greenland. 

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response,” the statement said. “We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

The group added that it stood in “full solidarity” with Greenland and Denmark.

The European Union confirmed that it would hold an emergency meeting of ambassadors in Brussels after Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on eight member countries until a deal was reached to allow the United States to purchase Greenland.

European political leaders also voiced opposition to the proposal.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on X that, “The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic.”

She said that they risked “emboldening our joint enemies” and added that “Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected.”

Kaja Kallas, the European Commission’s vice president and chief diplomat, warned that the announcement could benefit US rivals.

“China and Russia must be having a field day,” she wrote, adding that disputes over Greenland’s security should be handled within NATO.

She also cautioned that tariffs “risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity,” while diverting attention from efforts to support Ukraine against Russia.

Several members of the European Parliament said that Trump’s actions could jeopardize a partially implemented US-EU trade deal reached last summer.

Bernd Lange, who chairs the Parliament’s trade committee, said that the tariff threats were “unacceptable” and called for the trade agreement’s implementation to be suspended. Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, said approval of the deal was “not possible at this stage.”

Tariffs and US lawmakers' reactions 

President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10% import duty on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.

The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on February 1 and rise to 25% from June 1, remaining in place until the US secures what Trump described as the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”

In a Truth Social post, Trump said that the United States had “subsidized” European countries for decades by not imposing tariffs.

“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back,” he wrote, arguing that global stability and “World Peace” were at stake. 

US lawmakers also responded. Sens Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, co-chairs of the Senate’s NATO Observer Group, urged the administration to abandon the tariff threats.

“At a time when many Americans are already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would raise prices for both families and businesses,” they said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would introduce legislation to block the tariffs.