Europeans Muster More Words Than Troops After Trump Pressures Allies With Sweeping Tariffs To Acquire Greenland

After President Donald Trump announced eight European nations face being hit with increasing tariffs until the U.S. is able to reach a deal to acquire Greenland, some of the countries’ leaders issued statements condemning Trump’s tactics.

Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom sent limited numbers of troops to Greenland to participate in military exercises with Denmark — who currently controls the island —  over recent days. Trump announced in a Saturday post to Truth Social that the seven countries who “journeyed to Greenland,” plus Denmark, “will be charged a 10% Tariff” on goods sent to the U.S. starting Feb. 1, which would increase to 25% on June 1 and remain in effect until “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of” the Arctic territory.

All eight countries, like the U.S., are current North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members. The nations supporting Denmark thus far have reportedly sent combined military personnel to Greenland barely numbering in the dozens, with France having sent 15 soldiers, Germany sent 13, Sweden sent 3, Noway and Finland each sent 2, and the U.K. and The Netherlands merely one officer apiece.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X, just hours after Trump’s post, that his country’s position is “very clear” on supporting Greenland remaining “part of the Kingdom of Denmark” and not a matter the U.S. should pursue.

“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,” Starmer wrote Saturday. “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.”

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X in French that Trump’s tariff threats “are unacceptable and have no place in this context.” He added that, if they are to go into effect, “Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner.”

The French leader also appeared to compare the U.S.’s attempted acquisition of Greenland to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

“No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations,” Macron wrote in his X post.

He further noted France “stand by” its decision to join military exercises in Greenland alongside Denmark, “specially because it concerns security in the Arctic and at the frontiers of our Europe.”

“European countries stand united,” wrote Finnish President Alexander Stubb on X. “We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland.”

“Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” Stubb added, noting that dialogue with the U.S. “continues.”

“Threats have no place among allies,” wrote Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on X. “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.”

“We will not let ourselves be blackmailed,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote in Swedish posting to the platform.

“Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors,” Kristersson added. “This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out. Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.”

The EU’s High Representative for 🌐Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas wrote on X that “China and Russia must be having a field day” due to Trump’s tariff threats.

“They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies,” explained Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia who currently serves as vice-president of the European Commission. “If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.”

“We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the EU deputy added.

Trump stated in Wednesday post to Truth Social that the U.S. “needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security” and that Russia or China would take the island if the U.S. fails to act.

Protests against the president’s attempt to acquire Greenland broke out Saturday in the country’s capital of Nuuk, with demonstrators shouting phrases such as “Hands off Greenland,” “Greenland is not for sale,” and “Yankee go home.”

An early January statement from Trump’s White House emphasized that “utilizing the U.S. military” is an option on the table in the president’s pursuit of Greenland.

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