Europe plans summit after Trump threatens Greenland tariffs
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- European Union schedules emergency summit to coordinate response to Trump’s Greenland tariffs threat.
- EU explores tariffs on $93 billion of US imports and other countermeasures to protect strategic interests.
European leaders will meet in the coming days to coordinate a response after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs over Greenland, European Council President António Costa announced Sunday.
Costa said via social media that, “Given the importance of current developments and to enhance coordination, I have decided to convene an emergency European Council meeting in the coming days.” Sources indicate the summit may take place in Brussels on Thursday.
EU considers countermeasures
European diplomats said EU ambassadors reached agreement Sunday to intensify efforts to dissuade Trump from imposing tariffs on European partners starting February 1, citing Greenland. The EU is also preparing countermeasures if tariffs go ahead.
Read more: Thousands join anti-Trump “Hands off Greenland” protests in Demark
Options include tariffs on $93 billion in US imports, which had been suspended for six months in August, alongside measures under the bloc’s anti-coercion tool that could affect US investments.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s and Britain’s commitment to Greenland’s and Denmark’s sovereignty. She said she discussed the situation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, adding, “We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests.”
German Foreign Minister Johan Waddiful said Europe must respond if the US seriously considers tariffs, noting Denmark and Greenland retain full sovereignty over Greenland’s future.
Trump cites European “weakness”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued Sunday that European “weakness” makes US control of Greenland necessary for global stability. His remarks followed Trump’s threat to impose extra tariffs on EU members opposing a US move to acquire Greenland, including Denmark.
Read more: Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland, calls it vital for security
British Prime Minister Starmer spoke to Trump after discussions with European leaders and NATO officials, criticizing the idea of punishing allies with tariffs for collective security decisions.
European unity emerges
EU countries threatened with additional tariffs expressed unified opposition Sunday. A late Sunday emergency meeting of ambassadors from all 27 EU member states began in Brussels to discuss potential responses to Trump’s latest threats.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister also began a diplomatic tour of Norway, the UK, and Sweden, all NATO allies, to strengthen the alliance’s role in Arctic security.
The developments underscore rising tensions between the US and Europe over strategic Arctic interests and economic leverage, with Greenland at the center of a broader geopolitical struggle involving Russia and China.
