A shocked European Union has vowed to fight back against US President Donald Trump’s 10 percent tariff on European nations that opposed his move to acquire Greenland, stating “the European Union will always be very firm in defending international law”.
European Council President António Costa hit back at Trump's tariff plan as “a threat to prosperity," and said, "We must open markets, not close them." We must create zones of economic integration, not increase tariffs."
"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be, and of course, starting within the territory of the European Union's member states," Costa said, adding that he was coordinating a joint response from the European Union's member states on this issue.
Trump announced his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.K., Norway, Sweden, and Finland, thereby reopening a transatlantic trade rift.
Denmark itself expressed shock at Trump’s latest move, stating it came as a “surprise”. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated in a press release that the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is intended to enhance security in the Arctic. “We agree with the U.S. that we need to do more since the Arctic is no longer a low-tension area. That’s exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies," Rasmussen said.
French President Emmanuel Macron also hit back at Donald Trump’s latest threats, warning that “no amount of intimidation” will persuade European nations to change their course on Greenland.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hit out at the new tariffs as “completely wrong” and said he would raise the matter with the White House.
The EU representatives also convened an emergency meeting on Sunday after Trump's announcement, which will be presided over by Cyprus.
Meanwhile, thousands of Greenlanders held a protest march across snow and ice to protest against Trump on Saturday. They waved their national flag and chanted “Greenland is not for sale”. Greenland's Minerals Minister Naaja H. Nathanielsen, in a post on LinkedIn, praised these demonstrations, stating it displayed unity. "We live in extraordinary times that call not only on decency but also great courage," he added.
The demonstration in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, began at 4:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), according to the organisers, who say it is "against the United States' illegal plans to take control of Greenland."