Seeing an escalation ladder, the EU warns Trump’s tariff threat might cause a dangerous step toward trade war. European Union leaders have issued a severe caution regarding the future of US-Europe relations, stating that new economic penalties could be disastrous. This sharp rebuke comes after President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European nations to leverage his desire to purchase Greenland.
In response to these escalating tensions, the EU has scheduled an emergency meeting of envoys for this Sunday. The gathering, set to begin at 4:00 GMT, aims to formulate a unified response to the ultimatum. Officials have made it clear that the 27-nation bloc intends to remain “united, coordinated, and committed” to upholding its sovereignty against external pressure.
The details of the threat are financially significant for many European economies. President Trump announced that starting February 1, a 10% tariff would be levied on goods from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, and several other nations. He further warned that this rate would climb to 25% by June 1 and remain in place until a deal for Greenland is secured.
Addressing the geopolitical friction in the High North, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa defended recent military maneuvers. They clarified that the Danish exercises in the Arctic were pre-coordinated with allies and pose no threat to anyone. They emphasized that maintaining peace and security in the Arctic remains a shared transatlantic interest.
The EU has expressed unwavering solidarity with Denmark, the focal point of the purchase attempt. While acknowledging that dialogue between the US and the Kingdom of Denmark began last week, Brussels contends that trade wars are an unacceptable negotiation tactic. The upcoming emergency meeting will likely define the next steps.