A group of eight European countries targeted by US President Donald Trump with threatened tariffs over the Greenland dispute issued a joint statement warning that such measures would undermine transatlantic ties and risk “a dangerous downward spiral” in relations.
The statement was issued by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The eight countries said they stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, and reiterated their readiness for dialogue grounded in sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Tariff threats and a coordinated response
In their joint message, the eight states said they would remain united and coordinated in their response, as Trump’s tariff threats intensify a standoff linked to Greenland’s status and security.
According to Reuters, Trump said he would impose a 10 percent tariff from February 1 on the eight countries, rising to 25 percent on June 1 unless the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
Arctic security pledge and the Danish exercise
All eight countries are NATO members and said they are committed to strengthening security in the Arctic as a shared transatlantic interest. They pointed to a Danish-led military exercise in Greenland as evidence of that commitment, stressing it is designed to reinforce Arctic security and “poses no threat to anyone”.
Emergency EU talks in Brussels
The European Union called an emergency meeting of ambassadors of the 27 member states for Sunday afternoon in Brussels after Trump’s announcement, with Cyprus, which holds the rotating EU presidency, convening the session.
The tariff threat has also triggered renewed debate in Brussels about whether the EU should consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument, a tool designed to respond to economic pressure from third countries. France has pushed publicly for it to be considered, while some EU officials and diplomats have urged caution about escalating too quickly.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, began a diplomatic trip to Norway, the United Kingdom and Sweden, all close allies and NATO members, to discuss the alliance’s role in Greenland’s security. Reuters reported he was due in Oslo on Sunday, London on Monday and Stockholm on Thursday.
Bundeswehr team leaves Greenland, report says
German tabloid BILD reported that a 15-member Bundeswehr reconnaissance team departed Greenland after roughly 44 hours, leaving from Nuuk airport on an Icelandair Boeing 737, without an official public explanation at the time of publication. Reuters did not confirm those details in its main reporting on the joint statement and EU deliberations.
In London, UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK’s position on Greenland is “non-negotiable”, adding that allies should work with the United States to resolve the dispute while avoiding a public war of words.
Source: Reuters, AP News