US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on eight European countries if Denmark doesn’t agree to a deal on Greenland has drawn strong criticism from European leaders. Calls for a unified European Union response have intensified, and new doubts have been raised about the viability of last year’s EU-US tariff truce.
Tariffs on 8 Countries from February 1st
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the US would impose a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1st.
Warning of Increased Tariffs to 25% from June
As per his social media post, the US President warned that the rate would increase to 25 percent on June 1st and would remain at that level until a deal is reached for the complete purchase of Greenland. Nordic leaders were among the first to push back, insisting that disputes between allies should be resolved through dialogue, not coercion.
https://t.co/iyNzVcdqxT
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 17, 2026
Denmark in Contact with the EU
According to the Danish news agency Ritzau, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he was surprised by the tariff threat. He added that Denmark is in close contact with the European Commission. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, in comments to the national news agency NTB, pushed back against the threats, saying there is no place for threats between allies and reiterating Norway’s support for Denmark’s sovereignty.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that issues between partners are best resolved through dialogue, not pressure. He warned that the tariffs could damage transatlantic relations and lead to a dangerous escalation.
Sweden Calls Tariffs Blackmail
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson dismissed the tariffs as blackmail. He also said that Sweden would not allow itself to be blackmailed. He stated that the matter should be resolved at the European Union level. Other European leaders also indicated that they would adopt a tougher stance if Washington proceeded with these measures.
Macron’s counterattack: “We are not afraid of threats”
Rejecting the tariff threats, French President Emmanuel Macron said that if these measures are confirmed, the European Union will respond unitedly and collectively. He said that France’s participation in the exercise organized by Denmark in Greenland demonstrates France’s commitment to its national sovereignty and independence. He emphasized that “no threat or intimidation will affect us.”
