The European Union has called an urgent meeting of its ambassadors following a stark threat from former US President Donald Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on key European allies.
Trump's Tariff Ultimatum Over Greenland
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump declared he would place a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States from eight European nations starting 1 February. The countries named were Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
He stated this tariff would then rise sharply to 25% on 1 June. Trump explicitly linked the punitive measure to his long-standing ambition to acquire Greenland, stating the tariffs would remain “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
EU Scrambles to Respond
Cyprus, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, announced the emergency meeting late on Saturday. EU diplomats confirmed the gathering of ambassadors from all 27 member states is scheduled for 5pm local time (4pm GMT) on Sunday.
The move follows increased military activity in the region. Trump's post referenced forces from the eight nations having “journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,” an apparent nod to NATO allies deploying troops there on Thursday. This deployment was a direct response to Trump's earlier threats to seize the Arctic island.
Denmark's Reaction and Broader Dispute
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed surprise at the statement, noting constructive talks had been held earlier in the week with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio. He clarified that the enhanced military presence was intended to bolster Arctic security.
Trump's fixation on acquiring Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory, has intensified since the US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. While Trump claims Greenland's current status is a US national security threat, this assertion is disputed by allies including Denmark.
The EU's emergency meeting underscores the serious concern in European capitals over the potential for a major transatlantic trade dispute sparked by Trump's unconventional geopolitical demands.
