US President Donald Trump has declared new tariffs on eight European NATO countries for objecting to his proposal to purchase Greenland
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has condemned the US tariff threats, labeling them “blackmail” targeting his nation and its allies.
This statement was made after Washington imposed import duties on eight European NATO members for their opposition to President Donald Trump’s intention to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
On Friday, Trump announced a 10% tariff on US imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. He emphasized that the duties would increase to 25% in June and would stay until a “complete and total purchase” of the Arctic island is finalized.
“We will not be blackmailed,” Kristersson stated Saturday in a post on X, adding that Copenhagen is now in talks with other EU nations, Norway, and the UK to formulate a unified reaction.
“Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors,” he declared, pointing out that the matter “affects many more countries than those currently being singled out.”
The NATO nations facing tariffs recently participated with Denmark in deploying small military units to Greenland, a symbolic gesture to affirm the island’s sovereignty. Authorities in both Denmark and Greenland have reiterated that the territory is not available for sale, citing a 2008 vote that confirmed its ongoing autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump’s action prompted strong condemnation across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron deemed the tariff threats unacceptable and vowed a “united and coordinated” answer. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the threats would damage transatlantic relations and reaffirmed the EU’s solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the tariffs as “completely wrong,” asserting that they weaken NATO, and committed to holding direct discussions with the US.
The US president has recently intensified his campaign to bring Greenland under American control, an objective he has held since his initial term. Trump contends that obtaining the island is vital for US national security to counteract Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic – a claim that has been dismissed by both Beijing and Moscow.