In their words: European governments criticize Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland
Jan 18, 2026, 3:41 AM
Danish, Greenlandic and US flags are seen at Joint Arctic Command center in Nuuk, Greenland, on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — European governments blasted U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that eight countries will face 10% tariff for opposing American control of Greenland beginning next month.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland are on Trump’s list, though it was not immediately clear if the tariffs would impact the European Union as a bloc.
Trump’s threat sets up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. The U.S. president indicated the tariffs were retaliation for the deployment of symbolic levels of troops from the European countries to Greenland. Europeans said the troops were sent in response to Trump’s call for strengthened Arctic security.
Here’s a look at what the governments of the eight countries said:
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s foreign minister, said Trump’s tariff announcement surprised him following a constructive meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the week. He said the additional European troops were deployed to Greenland to heed Trump’s calls for better 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,” Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement. “That’s exactly why we and NATO partners are stepping up in full transparency with our American allies.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre dismissed Trump’s tariff threat.
“Threats have no place among allies,” he wrote on social media. “Norway’s position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Norway fully supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. There is broad agreement in NATO on the need to strengthen security in the Arctic, including in Greenland.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reaffirmed the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark in his response to Trump’s tariffs.
“We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” he wrote on social media. “I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors. This is an EU issue that concerns many more countries than those now being singled out.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said France is committed to sovereignty and independence of nations all over the world, including Ukraine and Greenland.
“No intimidation or threats will influence us, whether in Ukraine, Greenland or anywhere else in the world when we are faced with such situations,” he wrote on social media. “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.”
Germany had the most muted response of the eight countries. Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not immediately have a comment by midday Sunday.
“The Federal Government has taken note of the statements made by the U.S. President,” German federal government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius wrote on social media. “It is in closest coordination with its European partners. Together, we will decide on appropriate responses at the appropriate time.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer blasted Trump’s decision and said the U.K. would reach out directly to the Trump administration.
“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 Danes,” Starmer said in a statement. “We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic. Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong.”
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel also called Trump’s announcement “blackmail” during an interview on current affairs show WNL op Zondag.
“It’s inappropriate, because we’re not in favor of using trade tariffs in situations that have nothing to do with trade,” he said. “As allies, I don’t think this is how you should treat each other; not seek dialogue with each other, but try to put pressure on each other. So no, I’m very unhappy about this.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who famously bonded with Trump over their shared love of golf, said European countries stand united to both strengthen Arctic security and support Denmark and Greenland.
“Among allies, issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure,” he wrote on social media. “Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
