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EU diplomats will convene on Sunday for an emergency meeting after Donald Trump announced tariffs against European countries over their opposition to US control of Greenland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said 10 per cent tariffs would come into effect on February 1 on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.
Those tariffs would increase to 25 per cent on June 1 and would continue until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland, Trump said. The meeting between EU officials will take place at around 5pm local time (4pm GMT, 11am ET).
“World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing Denmark can do about it,” Trump said. He went on to claim Greenland is only protected by two dogsleds.
It has prompted fury in Europe. “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral European Commission president,” Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council president Antonio Costa said in posts on X.
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the tariffs “completely wrong”, while French president Emmanuel Macron said the move was “unacceptable”, adding: “No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland.”
Trump made the announcement in a long winded Truth Social post (Truth Social)
Alex Croft18 January 2026 03:00
Our chief international correspondent Bel Trew takes a look at Donald Trump’s fixation with Greenland:
Alex Croft18 January 2026 02:30
Finland’s prime minister Petteri Orpo said tariffs would be in “no-one’s interest” and would harm the US and Europe.
Writing on social media, he said: “Finland’s position is that issues among allies are resolved through discussion and shared rules, not by creating pressure. The United States has raised concerns related to the Arctic region. Arctic security is an important issue for Finland.
“Finland wants to strengthen Arctic security together with all allies, while respecting the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
“I understand the concerns of Finns. Tariffs would be harmful to both Europe and the United States. They are in no-one’s interest.
“We are working closely with our European partners and allies. We are ensuring the security of Finland and Finns.”
Alex Croft18 January 2026 02:00
The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, is the latest to respond to Donald Trump’s tariffs announcement.
Writing on social media, he said: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t. These tariffs will hurt us.
“If Greenland is vulnerable to malign influences, then have another look at Diego Garcia.”
(PA Wire)
Alex Croft18 January 2026 01:30
EEUU-GROENLANDIA-PROTESTAS (AP)
(REUTERS)
Greenland US Protest (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Alex Croft18 January 2026 01:01
Sir Keir said the government will take this up directly with the Trump administration, after the US president warned “world peace” is at stake if the US is not permitted to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” the prime minister said in a statement. “We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.”
Read the full report here:
Alex Croft18 January 2026 00:35
As we reported earlier, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa said in a joint statement that Trump’s move would case a “dangerous downwards spiral”.
Here is their statement in full:
“Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.
“They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.
“We have consistently underlined our shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through Nato.
“The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.”
Alex Croft18 January 2026 00:10
Liam Byrne, Labour chair of the UK’s Commons Business and Trade Committee, said on social media: “This isn’t trade policy. It’s pressure politics.
“Using tariffs to punish allies for lawful security decisions sets a dangerous precedent.
“Britain must now stand with its allies to force a rethink – calmly, collectively – but with consequences.”
And UK Treasury minister Torsten Bell wrote: “Madness – totally wrong when all Nato allies should be focused on the Russian threat and Ukraine.”
Alex Croft17 January 2026 23:45
A US trade representative said on Saturday it is up to Europe to decide whether it wants to raise Donald Trump’s new tariff threats during negotiations on a trade deal.
“If I were the Europeans I would probably try to silo this off if they can. If they want to make it an issue in the trade deal that’s really up to them and not us,” Jamieson Greer told reporters at the Detroit auto show.
Trump on Saturday vowed to hit some European allies with tariffs for opposing his over desire to take over Greenland.
Alex Croft17 January 2026 23:19