Trump’s Greenland threat risks ‘dangerous downward spiral’, UK says in joint statement with European allies
The UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have issued a joint statement saying Trump’s threat risks a “dangerous downward spiral” and “undermines transatlantic relations”.
We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
Key events
Nato alliance at risk from Donald Trump’s tariff threat on allies backing Denmark, says Danish foreign minister
The Nato alliance is at risk from US president Donald Trump’s tariff threat on Nato allies backing Denmark against his goal to seize control of Greenland, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said today.
The global geopolitical order “as we know it” and Nato’s “future” were at stake, he said during a visit to Norway, one of the countries also targeted by Trump’s threat.
“I have no doubt there is strong European support” for Denmark in the row, he said during a news conference, adding that Europe is stronger “when we collectively show muscle.”
Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence gave his thoughts on the president’s current aggressive approach to obtaining Greenland, calling it a threat to the Nato alliance.
During an appearance today on CNN’s State of the Union, Pence said: “Denmark is a very strong ally of the United States of America …So, I do think that the current posture, which I hope will change and abate, does threaten to fracture that strong relationship, not just with Denmark, but with all of our Nato allies.”
Though he expressed concerns over the current posturing, he also added that he does want “to encourage people around the country to recognize that we have an absolute national security interest in controlling, and I think, ultimately, owning Greenland”.
Summary of the day so far
While ambassadors from EU countries are in their emergency meeting about Donald Trump’s threat of increasing tariffs on European allies from February unless the US is allowed to buy Greenland, here’s a recap of the major developments so far today:
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Trump’s threat of imposing tariffs on European allies has been met with widespread condemnation from across the continent. The Netherlands’ foreign minister described the move as “blackmail“, while Finland’s prime minister said tariffs would harm both Europe and the US, and “would not serve anyone”.
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The UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have issued a joint statement saying Trump’s threat risks a “dangerous downward spiral” and “undermines transatlantic relations”. The statement added that the countries stood in “full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
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This came after culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK’s position on Greenland was “non-negotiable”. She added the UK needs to have an “adult debate” with the US and that Keir Starmer will talk to Trump at the “earliest opportunity” but could not say if that would be at Davos in the coming week.
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France’s president Emmanuel Macron is expected to call on the EU to activate its powerful “anti-coercion instrument” if the US imposes tariffs. The mechanism, which has never been used before and dubbed its trade “bazooka”, allows for curbing imports of goods and services.
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Trump has even sparked criticism from his allies in Europe, as Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the threat as a “mistake”. Meloni added that she had already told Trump about her opposition to his approach.
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Amid the criticism of Trump’s announcement, Denmark’s foreign minister is to visit fellow Nato members Norway, the UK and Sweden in the next week to discuss the alliance’s Arctic security strategy
A reminder that ambassadors from the European Union’s 27 countries will convene shortly for an emergency meeting after US president Donald Trump vowed a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
Cyprus, which holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said late on Saturday that it had called the meeting for Sunday.
EU diplomats said it was set to start at 5pm (4pm GMT), meaning it is due to begin in roughly 15 minutes.
The sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark cannot be violated, the Irish premier has said.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin also warned that any trade war would be “very damaging to everybody in the world”.
Global markets face a fresh bout of volatility this week after President Donald Trump vowed to slap tariffs on eight European nations until the US is allowed to buy Greenland.
European stocks are trading near record highs, with Germany’s DAX and London’s FTSE index up more than 3% this month, outperforming the S+P 500, which is up 1.3%.
European defence shares are likely to benefit from geopolitical tensions. Defence stocks have jumped almost 15% this month, as the US seizure of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro fuelled concerns about Greenland.
“For European markets it will be a small setback, but not something comparable to the Liberation Day reaction,” Schmieding said.
Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O’Neill has described US president Donald Trump’s plan to “apply tariffs and economic pressure on European countries in order to take control of Greenland” as “deeply concerning”.
“The economies of Ireland and the United States are closely linked, and for many years that relationship has positively supported jobs, investment, and prosperity on both sides,” she said, in a statement on social media network X.
“However, when world leaders make dangerous decisions in the pursuit of land and resources, it is often ordinary people who pay the price.
“In the time ahead, I will work with political and business leaders at home and internationally to protect our local businesses, our all-island economy, and people’s livelihoods.”
António Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, pledged to continue their full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” they wrote in a joint statement late Saturday.
Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, president of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party in France and also a European Parliament lawmaker, posted that the EU should suspend last year’s tariff deal with the US, describing Trump’s threats as “commercial blackmail.”
US senator Mark Kelly, a former US Navy pilot and Democrat who represents Arizona, posted that Trump’s threatened tariffs on US allies would make Americans “pay more to try to get territory we don’t need.”
“Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in,” he wrote on social media.
“The damage this president is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesn’t change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction.”
Norway says trade war is not beneficial to anyone
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere on Sunday urged caution over a looming trade war after US president Donald Trump had threatened additional tariffs on eight European countries including Norway over their support for Greenland.
“I think we should be very careful not to have a trade war that spirals out of control. I don’t think anyone benefits from that,” Stoere told broadcaster NRK following a press conference.
Trump’s Greenland threat risks ‘dangerous downward spiral’, UK says in joint statement with European allies
The UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have issued a joint statement saying Trump’s threat risks a “dangerous downward spiral” and “undermines transatlantic relations”.
We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
Tariffs over Greenland ‘do not serve anyone’ says Finland’s PM
Finland’s prime minister Petteri Orpo has also reacted to Trump’s comments, posting on his social media that believes tariffs “do not serve anyone” and would harm both Europe and the US.
“Finland’s view is that any questions among allies should be resolved through discussions, not through pressure.
“The US has raised concerns about Arctic security, which is a key issue for Finland.
“We seek to safeguard Arctic security together with all our allies while respecting the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
“Tariffs would harm both Europe and the US. They do not serve anyone. We are working closely with our European partners and allies.”
Elsewhere Finnish president Alexander Stubb, who famously bonded with Trump over their shared love of golf, wrote on social media. “Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
“Among allies, issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure.”
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