Trump uses tariffs to pressure Europe over Greenland
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Trump links Greenland sovereignty to escalating tariffs on eight European countries.
- European governments and markets face mounting economic and political pressure.
US President Donald Trump has opened a new economic front with Europe, tying the sovereignty of Greenland to the imposition of escalating tariffs on eight European nations.
While framed as a strategic and security issue, Trump’s approach is purely economic, threatening transatlantic trade directly. Analysts warn the move could reignite trade-war tensions at a sensitive moment for the European economy, coinciding with domestic protests and political pressure across the continent.
Tariffs threaten European trade
Trump pledged a 10 percent tariff starting February 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain until an agreement allows the US to purchase Greenland, according to Reuters.
Trump told his Truth Social platform that these countries “placed themselves in an unbearable position” but emphasized that Washington remains open to negotiations despite long-standing protection it has offered.
Read more: Thousands join anti-Trump “Hands off Greenland” protests in Demark
Economists warn the tariffs could hit European industries that depend on the US market, just as economic growth slows across the continent.
Greenland’s resources drive economic strategy
Trump stressed Greenland’s value goes beyond its Arctic location, highlighting untapped mineral wealth, particularly rare metals critical for advanced technology, renewable energy, and defense industries.
Securing these resources is central to major powers seeking stable supply chains amid rising geopolitical competition, including China’s growing influence in the sector.
Read more: Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland, calls it vital for security
Analysts say linking sovereignty to trade measures reflects a shift toward “economic security”, using tariffs to reshape control over strategic resources rather than as traditional commercial tools.
Protests and European pushback
AFP reported thousands of protesters in Copenhagen, Nuuk, and other Danish cities opposing Greenland’s potential sale, waving signs reading “Greenland is not for sale”. Demonstrators emphasized the issue concerns self-determination and international law.
The protests add pressure on European governments attempting to avoid a broad trade confrontation with the US. Officials warn that escalation could threaten NATO cohesion and undermine investment confidence.
