President Donald Trump has threatened new tariffs on European allies as part of a standoff over Greenland, prompting emergency talks in Europe and sparking large protests in Denmark and Greenland.
The tariff threat has drawn criticism from European leaders and some Republicans in the United States, while Danish and Greenlandic officials have discussed possible NATO steps tied to Arctic security.
Tariff threat tied to Greenland dispute
Trump has said he will impose a 10% tariff on goods from European countries that oppose his push to acquire Greenland, with the tariff set to start on Feb. 1.
Several reports say Trump also warned the tariff could rise to 25% on June 1 if there is no agreement, and that the measures would stay in place until a deal is reached related to Greenland.
Sources differ on which countries are on the list.
The BBC and Time both list Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Al Jazeera’s list includes Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, while another Al Jazeera report includes additional countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Trump has argued Greenland is important for U.S. national security, and Reuters also noted he has pointed to the island’s strategic location and mineral resources.
In a New York Times live update, Trump also challenged Denmark’s ownership of Greenland and said “The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland.”
Europe’s response and emergency meetings
European leaders have described the tariff threats as harmful to relations and have emphasized support for Denmark and Greenland’s future being decided by Greenlanders and Danes.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote that “Europe will not be coerced,” as European leaders discussed their response.
The BBC reported that EU members were holding an emergency meeting in Brussels, and Al Jazeera reported that all 27 EU member states would gather for an emergency meeting to discuss a response.
CNN reported that EU ambassadors held emergency discussions and that the European Commission was expected to provide an update after the meeting.
CNN also reported that French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the EU to activate its “Anti-Coercion Instrument,” which the network described as a tool that could restrict some American access to EU markets or impose export controls, among other measures.
DW similarly reported the EU is prepared to respond with available tools, including the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument, which it said is often referred to as the EU’s “trade bazooka.”
Protests in Denmark and Greenland
In Denmark and Greenland, demonstrators protested Trump’s stated ambitions to take over the territory and called for Greenland’s right to decide its own future.
Reuters reported that thousands gathered in Copenhagen carrying signs such as “Hands off” and chanting “Greenland is not for sale,” and said protests were also planned in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
DW reported several thousand people protested in Nuuk and said Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, was seen at the demonstration waving a Greenlandic flag.
Both Reuters and DW reported that some protesters wore hats reading “Make America Go Away,” a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Reuters reported Greenland has a population of about 57,000 and that Danish officials said about 17,000 Greenlanders live in Denmark.
Reuters also reported all five political parties in Greenland’s parliament support independence in principle, though they differ on timing, and that they have recently said they would prefer to remain with Denmark rather than align with the United States.
NATO and Arctic security discussions
DW reported Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he and Greenland’s defense minister raised the possibility of a NATO surveillance mission in Greenland during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
DW reported Rutte said NATO would continue working with Denmark and Greenland on collective security in the Arctic, and noted Denmark’s increased investments in key capabilities.
In the U.S., Time reported several Republicans criticized the tariff threat and warned it could divide NATO allies.
Time also reported Sen. Lisa Murkowski criticized the proposed tariffs as “unnecessary” and “punitive,” and reported Rep. Don Bacon called the move “embarrassing” while arguing Congress should reclaim tariff authorities.
