Denmark, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are among the countries that will see a 25% increase in tariffs on exports to the USA. European leaders promise a firm and united response.
The American President, Donald Trumpsaid this Saturday that it will charge a 10% import tax, starting in February, on goods from eight European countries, due to opposition to United States control over Greenland.
On social media, Trump announced that the DenmarkNorway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will face the tariff, which will be increased to 25% from June 1if by that date an agreement is not signed for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland” by the USA.
“For many years we subsidized Denmarkas well as all European Union countries and others, by not charging them fees nor any other form of remuneration,” Trump wrote.
“Now, centuries later, The time has come for Denmark to reciprocate — world peace is at stake! THE China and Russia want Greenlandand there’s nothing Denmark can do about it,” Trump added.
Trump has insisted for months that the United Statesmust control Greenlanda semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, member from NATO, and said earlier this week that anything less than Arctic island being in American hands would be unacceptable.
On Friday, he had threatened his plans to take over Greenland, which will happen “one way or another” — resorting to force if necessary.
Macron and Costa promise firmness and unity
Donald Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on countries that oppose the US annexation of Greenland are “unacceptable“, declared the French President today, Emmanuel Macronwhich promised a “united” European response.
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. The Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner if they are confirmed. We will guarantee respect for European sovereignty”, Macron on the social network X.
“No intimidation or threats will influence usnot in Ukraine, not in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world”, said Macron, adding that France “is committed to sovereignty and the independence of nations, in Europe as anywhere else”.
“This guides our choices. This underpins our commitment to the United Nations and its Charter,” he added. “For this reason, Paris supports and will continue to support Ukraine and, for the same reason, decided to participate in the exercises initiated by Denmark in Greenland”.
“We maintain this decision. This is also because the arctic security and the borders of our Europe are at stake”, argued Macron, who highlighted that “no intimidation or threat can influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world”, when faced with these situations“.
The president of the European Council, António Costa, stated this Saturday that the European Union will be firm in defense of international law of its territory, after the President of the USA threatened to charge taxes on Europeans who oppose control of Greenland.
“The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law, wherever it may be. And, of course, the start on the territory of the Member States of the European Union”, promised António Costa, in a short press conference after the signing of the historic trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
“For now, I am coordinating a joint response of European Union Member States on this topic”, said the former Portuguese Prime Minister.
Os ambassadors from EU member states will meet emergency this Sunday for discuss relations with the United Statesfollowing Donald Trump’s announcement.
European sources told Lusa that, following the announcement, “an extraordinary meeting of Coreper II was called”, which brings together the permanent representatives of the Member States to the EU, for this Sunday afternoon”, at 16:00 Lisbon.
Denmark surprised
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussentoday expressed himself “surprised” by the North American President’s threat to increase tariffs on eight European countries if Greenland is not “sold in full” to the United States.
“The objective of strengthening the military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is precisely to increase security in the Arctic“, Rasmussen told AFP, after meeting on Wednesday with the head of diplomacy in Greenland, the vice-president of the United States, JD Vanceand the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Previously, also to AFP, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that his country “will not be intimidated” by these threats.
Nonetheless, hundreds of people in the capital of Greenland this Saturday faced temperatures close to zero, rain and icy streets to march in support of its self-governance, in the face of threats of a seizure of power by the United States.
The Greenlanders waved their national flags red and white and listened to traditional songs as they walked through the small center of Nuuk.
Some carried signs with messages such as “We shaped our future”, “Greenland is not for sale” and “Greenland is already big.” They were joined by thousands of other people in demonstrations across the Danish kingdom.
