Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on several European allies after they rejected his proposal for the United States to take control of Greenland. This resulted in escalating tensions across the Atlantic and prompting strong reactions from European leaders.

Trump announced that a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom would come into force on February 1, and from 1st of June a 25% tariff. These tariffs will remain in place until a deal is reached for the US to acquire Greenland. The president described the opposition of these countries as “a very dangerous game,” framing the move as essential for global security.

Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly rejected the idea of becoming part of the United States. Opinion polls indicate that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S. Despite this, Trump has refused to rule out the use of force, insisting that American control of the Arctic island is necessary to counter Russian and Chinese influence and to support the U.S. missile defence project known as the “Golden Dome.”

European leaders responded swiftly and forcefully. French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariff threat “unacceptable,” warning that Europe would not be intimidated. “Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner,” he said, stressing that sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable principles.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move as “completely wrong,” arguing that imposing tariffs on N.A.T.O. allies for pursuing collective security undermines the alliance itself. Similar criticism came from Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who said Sweden would not allow itself to be blackmailed.

The European Union also closed ranks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that tariffs would damage transatlantic relations and risk a “dangerous downward spiral,” while E.U. foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the dispute only benefits China and Russia by deepening divisions among allies. An emergency E.U. meeting was convened in Brussels in response to Trump’s announcement.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also criticised the U.S. president’s approach, calling the tariff threat a “mistake” driven by misunderstanding, according to Al Jazeera. Her comments added to a growing chorus of European leaders urging de-escalation.

The dispute has intensified protests in both Denmark and Greenland. Demonstrations were held in Copenhagen and in Nuuk, where protesters carried signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” and “We shape our future.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined demonstrators outside the U.S. consulate.

Trump’s stated justification for acquiring Greenland has also come under scrutiny. According to POLITICO, European officials and US lawmakers argue that threatening a N.A.T.O. ally weakens the alliance and plays into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin, rather than countering him. Critics note that the US already has military access to Greenland under a 1951 defence agreement and maintains the Pituffik Space Base, making annexation unnecessary for security purposes.

Several European governments have responded to Trump’s rhetoric by sending small military contingents to Greenland as part of reconnaissance exercises, emphasising that Arctic security should remain a joint N.A.T.O. responsibility. Denmark has also announced major defence investments in the region, including a multibillion-dollar Arctic security package.

The tariff threat has further strained an already tense transatlantic relationship and raised questions about the future of E.U.–U.S. trade cooperation. European lawmakers have warned that Trump’s approach risks undermining trust among allies and distracting from pressing global challenges, including the war in Ukraine.

As diplomatic pressure mounts, European leaders have insisted that Greenland’s future can only be decided by Greenlanders themselves. For now, Trump’s tariff ultimatum has transformed a long-running geopolitical dispute into a broader confrontation over the limits of economic coercion.