Trump's threatened tariffs over Greenland 'risk dangerous downward spiral', Nato countries say

18 Jan 2026, 19:20 by Jane Moore, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/jane-moore/ · TheJournal.ie

LAST UPDATE | 14 hrs ago

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer told Donald Trump that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong” in a telephone call this afternoon, Downing Street has said.

It comes as the eight countries that Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on unless he can reach a deal for the US to take over Greenland have said the US President’s plans “risk a dangerous downward spiral”.

Trump made the threat yesterday evening in a post on his Truth Social platform, claiming that Europe’s efforts to support the autonomous Danish territory amounted to “a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable”.

He said Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would be subject to a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the US from February. The tariff would then increase to 25% in June.

It was not immediately clear what authority Trump would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs.

Starmer held a flurry of calls this afternoon, including with the US president, No 10 said.

He also spoke to Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland.

“He said that security in the High North is a priority for all Nato allies in order to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.

“He also said that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is wrong.”

Trump’s statement came on the same day that thousands took to the streets in both Greenland and Denmark to protest against Trump’s vow to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic island.

In a joint statement this afternoon, the leaders of the eight Nato countries said they are “committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest”.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.”

They said a Danish exercise in Greenland last week “poses no threat to anyone” and building on this, they “stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.”

Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states are holding an emergency meeting in Brussels this afternoon to discuss their response after the tariff threat.

France calls for trade ‘bazooka’

European leaders and politicians have strongly criticised Trump’s announcement.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to combat the threatened tariffs by deploying its powerful “anti-coercion instrument”.

The bloc’s weapon, which has been dubbed its trade “bazooka” and has never used before, allows for curbing imports of goods and services, and has been invoked as a way to push back over tech and trade.

“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” Macron posted on X yesterday.

“Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed,” he added. “We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.”

No intimidation or threat will influence us – neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

In a statement this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee described Trump’s announcement as “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable”.

“Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law. This is a position that will not change.”

She said Ireland is “coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners” in response to Trump’s announcement.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies “is completely wrong” and said the UK “will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has branded the threat a “mistake”.

“I believe that imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake,” Meloni told journalists during a trip to Seoul, adding that “I spoke to Donald Trump a few hours ago and told him what I think.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: “We won’t let ourselves be intimidated.”

Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the threat “comes as a surprise” after what he said was a “constructive meeting” between him, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rasmussen will visit fellow Nato members Norway, the UK and Sweden in the coming days to discuss the alliance’s Arctic security strategy.

“In an unstable and unpredictable world, Denmark needs close friends and allies,” he said in a press release.

‘Full solidarity’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said territorial integrity and sovereignty “are fundamental principles of international law” and that the EU “stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland”.

Greenlandic minister Naaja Nathanielsen praised the reaction of European countries yesterday, saying she was “thankful and hopeful for diplomacy and allieship (sic) to prevail.”

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US needs Greenland for US “national security,” while alleging without evidence that China and Russia are trying to control it.

Those two countries have increased their security presence in the Arctic, but have not made any claims over its sovereignty.

France said that a deployment of European troops to Greenland this week was designed to show the world that it will defend the territory. Denmark said the US had been invited to join the drill.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has unleashed sweeping tariffs on goods from virtually all trading partners, to address what he said were unfair trade practices and as a tool to press governments.

Washington and the EU struck a deal last summer to lower US tariffs on key European goods, with the deal currently being implemented.

Yesterday, a group of US politicians wrapped up a visit to Copenhagen for talks with Greenlandic and Danish lawmakers.

The group, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, told reporters that Trump’s stance was not backed by the majority of Americans.

It is also roundly rejected by Greenlanders. According to polling published last January, 85% of them oppose the territory joining the US. Only 6% were in favour.

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