Trump Announces Tariffs on European Allies Over Greenland Dispute, Sparking International Backlash
US President Donald Trump has vowed to slap tariffs on eight European allies - Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK - in retaliation for their opposition to US control of Greenland. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and its traditional partners.
In a series of tweets, Trump announced that 10% tariffs would take effect on February 1 for these countries, rising to 25% by June 1 unless an agreement is reached over the sale of Greenland. European leaders have swiftly condemned the move, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling it "unacceptable" and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that his country will raise the issue directly with Washington.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that tariffs would undermine prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, benefiting only China and Russia. Macron added that European leaders would respond in a united manner if confirmed, upholding their sovereignty.
The move is seen as an unprecedented step by Trump, who has long sought to acquire Greenland for its strategic military significance. He claimed that the US missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome, which includes the possible protection of Canada, made control over the territory "essential".
Protests erupted in cities across Denmark and Greenland, with thousands rallying against Trump's repeated threats. In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, hundreds braved freezing temperatures to march in support of their own self-governance.
The threat of tariffs takes an internal NATO spat to a new level, straining an alliance that dates back to 1949. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly rejected US control over the territory, with only 6% of Greenlanders supporting the idea of joining the US.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, described Trump's wishes as "clear" but stated that efforts to change the US administration's stance had so far failed. The move has sparked international concern, with many questioning Trump's motives and the implications for global security.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to slap tariffs on eight European allies - Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK - in retaliation for their opposition to US control of Greenland. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and its traditional partners.
In a series of tweets, Trump announced that 10% tariffs would take effect on February 1 for these countries, rising to 25% by June 1 unless an agreement is reached over the sale of Greenland. European leaders have swiftly condemned the move, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling it "unacceptable" and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that his country will raise the issue directly with Washington.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that tariffs would undermine prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, benefiting only China and Russia. Macron added that European leaders would respond in a united manner if confirmed, upholding their sovereignty.
The move is seen as an unprecedented step by Trump, who has long sought to acquire Greenland for its strategic military significance. He claimed that the US missile defence shield known as the Golden Dome, which includes the possible protection of Canada, made control over the territory "essential".
Protests erupted in cities across Denmark and Greenland, with thousands rallying against Trump's repeated threats. In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, hundreds braved freezing temperatures to march in support of their own self-governance.
The threat of tariffs takes an internal NATO spat to a new level, straining an alliance that dates back to 1949. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly rejected US control over the territory, with only 6% of Greenlanders supporting the idea of joining the US.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, described Trump's wishes as "clear" but stated that efforts to change the US administration's stance had so far failed. The move has sparked international concern, with many questioning Trump's motives and the implications for global security.
anyway, i'm all for keeping greensland independent lol who needs the drama of a us-danmark alliance when u got a good cuppa and some awesome northern lights? 
lets just let denmark handle their own affairs and not worry about getting caught up in trump's tariff tantrums 
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Greenland has always been about self-governance, why should Denmark care about the US controlling its affairs? And what's with this Golden Dome thing, sounds like something straight out of a Marvel movie 
I mean, who needs that much military presence in an island that's roughly the size of Texas? 
and btw, China and Russia are probably just rubbing their hands together thinking "oh boy, more chaos to exploit" 
I'm getting a bad vibe from this whole thing... Like, I get why Trump is upset about Greenland, but tariffs on all these European countries? That's just gonna make things worse 
. And what's with the Golden Dome nonsense? It feels like he's trying to bully everyone into doing what he wants 
. I'm also worried about the impact on Greenlanders themselves - do they really want to be tied to the US against their will? 
It just seems like a huge mess, and I hope some sense of reason can prevail before it's too late...
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. and now protests in denmark and greenland? people are not having it 
Greenland is like that one aunt who always says no to family gatherings – Denmark's all "nope, thanks" 
. European leaders are like, "Uh, buddy, we're not buying it" 
, and rightfully so, this whole thing is just a mess 
Can't believe what I'm reading about Trump's tariffs on Europe over Greenland 
. I'm loving the protests in Nuuk tho! 
For Greenland independence, yeah! 
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france and germany are like totally bigger economies than usa, they're not gonna take this lying down they'll find a way to fight back and trust me they will 
... and what's the real deal here anyway? why is trump so fixated on greenland? it's not like they're even interested in joining the us 
...
. EU leaders are right, this is all about China and Russia manipulating the US for their own gain 
. And what's up with Greenland being like some sort of super important strategic location? I mean, it's just a bunch of ice and mountains 
. Can't we just focus on having actual problems to solve instead of making stuff up? 
. what's next? tariffs on canada too? 
this is just getting out of hand...
. She's been doing this weird thing where she knocks over a plant every morning and then looks up at me like "who, me?" 
. Anyway, back to Greenland... I mean, have you guys seen those videos of the Northern Lights? It's like nature's own light show 
. I was watching them last week and I felt so tiny in comparison. The US tariffs thing just seems so petty compared to all that beauty and wonder. And can we talk about how Norway has the most amazing fjords? 
anyway whoever said tarifs would help prosperatlity in atlantic should get a prize or somethin 
. It's not like he's considering the long-term effects of all this or how it might impact their way of life. The fact that only 6% support joining the US is a big red flag right there.