Trump said on Saturday that he would charge a 10 percent import tax from February on goods from eight European countries that are resisting American control ofGreenlandFrance, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
The rate would climb to 25 percent on 1 June if no deal was in place for "the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the US, he wrote onhis Truth Social platform.
"These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable," Trump said.
Franceis one of several countries that hasdeployed troopsto the autonomous Danish territory in response to Washington's ambitions.Paris says the European military exercise is designed to show the world that it will defend Greenland.
"Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context," President Macron wrote in aposton X, saying that France and its European allies would present a united response.
"No intimidation or threat can influence us, neither inUkraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world... We will ensure that European sovereignty is respected," Macron said.
France to open Greenland consulate amid Trump takeover threats
'Dangerous downward spiral'
Denmark called Trump's announcement a "surprise", while British Prime MinisterKeir Starmersaid it was "completely wrong".
European Unionleaders said the bloc "stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland".
European Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyenand the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said in ajoint statementthat tariffs "would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral".
An emergency meeting of EU ambassadors has been called in Brussels for Sunday afternoon.
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Day of protests
Trump's threats came as thousands of people protested in the capital of Greenland against his drive to acquire the island, rich in rare minerals and a gateway to theArctic.
Thousands more demonstrated in Copenhagen and other Danish cities.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that theUnited Statesneeds Greenland for US "national security", while alleging without evidence thatChinaandRussiaare trying to control it.
It was not immediately clear what authority the US president would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs, nor how he would target individual EU countries when the 27 members trade as a bloc.
If carried out, Trump's threats against NATO partners would create unprecedented tension within the military alliance, already under strain.
(with newswires)
Originally published on RFI
