Brussels, 18 January. The European Union has reacted sharply to US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on Greenland. The leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Germany have expressed displeasure over this and reiterated Denmark’s right to Greenland. Meanwhile, Bernd Lange, Chairman of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, has demanded the European Commission to use the EU’s anti-coercion instrument.
Demand to implement anti-coercion instrument
According to Xinhua News Agency report, Bernd Lange wrote on LinkedIn that now is the time to implement the anti-coercion instrument and give a clear and concrete answer from the European Union. He said that the European Commission should start this process without delay.
Trump gave 10 on 8 European countriesThreatened to impose % tariff
It is noteworthy that Trump had threatened on Saturday that from February 1, 10 percent duty will be imposed on all goods coming from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands and Finland. Trump says that this step is being taken due to the dispute related to Greenland.
Violation of the EU-US trade tariff agreement
Bernd Lange also said that the US move is a violation of the EU-US trade and tariff agreement signed in Scotland in July 2025. According to Lange, next week the European Parliament will discuss the issue again with various political groups. He said that in the current circumstances it is not possible to proceed in a normal manner and there is a possibility that further work will be stopped. He said, ‘I cannot imagine that we can continue work as usual, and I think we will have to stop our further work.’
US military base present in Greenland
It is noteworthy that Greenland is a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. Decisions related to defense and foreign policy are in the hands of the Copenhagen government. America also has a military base there. Donald Trump has long shown interest in Greenland. In his first presidential term, he had talked about buying Greenland. Now he is talking about many options to take it under his control, which also includes the use of American army. In recent times, due to the intensification of Trump’s efforts, the crisis related to Greenland has deepened.
US tariff threats on Greenland unacceptable : Emmanuel Macron
At present, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed strong objection to America’s tariff threats regarding Greenland. Macron has clearly stated that threats of tariffs are unacceptable. He warned that if these threats prove true, European countries will respond with unity and coordination.
Macron wrote on X, ‘France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of countries in Europe and other parts of the world. This is what guides our decisions. This is the basis of our commitment to the United Nations and its Charter. It is on this basis that we support Ukraine and will continue to do so. We have formed a coalition of nations seeking a strong and lasting peace to protect these principles and our security. On this basis, we decided to participate in the exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland. We take full responsibility for this decision because the security of the Arctic region and our external borders of Europe is at stake.
Dutch Foreign Minister calls Trump’s threat blackmail
In the same sequence, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel called the US President’s plans to impose tariffs on eight European countries for supporting Greenland as blackmail, incomprehensible and unfair. Speaking on the television current affairs show ‘WNL op Zondak’ broadcast on Sunday, Van Weel said efforts must now be made to ensure that ‘this absurd plan’ is cancelled.
‘This is blackmail and this is not the way to work with your colleagues,’ said David Van Weel. Despite threats, the Netherlands is not planning to recall two men sent to the Arctic island to take part in preparations for NATO exercises, he said. The Netherlands will send more troops once the real operation begins, but how many has not yet been decided.
Trump’s threat to impose tariffs ‘absolutely wrong’: British PM Starmer
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has termed US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose additional tariffs on European countries opposing the attempt to annex Greenland as completely wrong. “Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the people of Denmark,” Starmer said, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Arctic security important for NATO
Starmer said, ‘We have also made clear that Arctic security is important for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and all allies must do more together to deal with the threat posed by Russia in different parts of the Arctic. It is simply wrong to impose tariffs on NATO allies in order to ensure their collective security. We will definitely raise this matter directly with the US administration.
Melonie said – Greenland tariff threat a mistake
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni on Sunday described US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on opponents of his plan to annex Greenland as a mistake and said she has conveyed her views to Trump. “I believe it would be a mistake to impose new restrictions today,” Meloni told reporters during a visit to Seoul. I spoke to Donald Trump a few hours ago and told him what I think.
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