European leaders are firing back hard at President Donald Trump’s latest move—threatening tariffs on several allies unless they back his wild idea to buy Greenland. It’s sparked protests, emergency meetings, and a whole lot of tension across the Atlantic.
Trump dropped the bombshell on his social media, saying he’d slap a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1st. And if no deal happens for the U.S. to take over Greenland? That could jump to 25% by June. He claims it’s all about global security, calling the game “dangerous” for the planet’s safety.
But folks aren’t buying it. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “completely wrong,” especially since these countries are NATO allies working together on security. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the threats “unacceptable,” and Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson said straight up, “We won’t let ourselves be blackmailed.” They’re all teaming up for talks to figure out a united response.
The EU jumped into action, calling an emergency meeting in Brussels for Sunday evening with ambassadors from all 27 countries. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted that territorial integrity is non-negotiable and tariffs like this could wreck transatlantic ties and start a bad spiral. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pointed out that this kind of division is exactly what China and Russia would love to see.
Denmark’s foreign minister was caught off guard, saying the threat was a total surprise. Even in Germany, a key politician said this messes with a recent EU-US trade deal, and they’re pausing parts of it until things cool down.
On the ground, thousands hit the streets in Greenland and Denmark over the weekend to protest any U.S. takeover. In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, people waved flags and chanted for self-determination, with signs like “Greenland is not for sale” and “We shape our future.” Even Greenland’s prime minister joined in. In Copenhagen, crowds demanded respect for Greenland’s rights.
Why all the fuss over Greenland? It’s a huge, icy island with tons of resources, sitting right between North America and the Arctic—perfect for radar systems, missile warnings, and keeping an eye on ships. Trump says the U.S. needs it for security, and he’s not ruling out force if talks fail. He’s pushed this before, saying it’d be done “the easy way or the hard way.”
But Greenlanders overwhelmingly say no—polls show about 85% oppose joining the U.S. European countries have sent a few troops there for a “reconnaissance mission” to show support, arguing Arctic security should be a shared NATO thing, not a solo U.S. grab.
Back in the U.S., some lawmakers are pushing back too, calling the tariffs illegal and absurd, saying Trump’s creating a fake crisis while ignoring real issues like affordability for Americans. The U.S. ambassador to the UN argued Denmark can’t handle the region’s needs alone, and life there would be better under American control.
Trump’s set to face off with European leaders like von der Leyen and Macron at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week—talk about awkward timing. This escalation comes right after U.S. and Danish officials agreed to a working group to discuss the island’s future, which many thought would buy time and ease tensions. Instead, it’s ramped everything up.
It’s a reminder of how Trump loves using tariffs as a hammer to get his way, but this one’s hitting close allies and stirring up a storm that could shake global trade and alliances.