Trump’s Greenland tariff threats: What options do European countries have?

Summary

• EU leaders will hold an emergency meeting to address Trump's tariff threats over Greenland, supporting Denmark's sovereignty.
• Any betrayal of Denmark would tear apart both the EU and the NATO military alliance.
• Europe is divided on retaliating with tariffs, fearing a trade war, but the EU may target US services industries.

BRUSSELS – European Union leaders are convening an extraordinary emergency summit in the “coming days” to agree on a joint response to US President Donald Trump’s latest threatened tariffs on eight European countries in a dispute over the possession of Greenland, the Arctic island ruled by Denmark.

“Together we stand firm in our commitment to uphold the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark,” Dr Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, posted in a message on social media.