The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that he will impose new tariffs of up to 25% on several European countries participating in military maneuvers in Greenland, a territory under the sovereignty of Denmark. The measure is part of a new offensive by the American president to pressure Copenhagen with the aim of negotiating the sale of the Arctic island, according to reported the diary The Country.
According to Trump, starting February 1, 2026, a 10% tariff will be applied to all goods shipped to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, a levy that would increase to 25% on June 1. The president assured that these rates will be maintained “until an agreement is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.”
The warning was disseminated by Trump through his Truth social network, in a new episode of tensions with Europe as the first year of his second term in the White House is approaching. Washington has openly questioned the decision of several European allies to participate in military exercises called by Denmark in Greenland, an area considered strategic due to its location in the Arctic and its wealth in rare earths and critical minerals.
From the European Union, the first reaction came from the president of the European Council, António Costa, who confirmed that Brussels is coordinating a joint response of the member states to the tariff threat. Costa stressed that the bloc will act firmly to defend international law and territorial sovereignty, and warned that the conflict goes beyond a simple trade dispute.
Although Trump has directly targeted European countries, analysts cited by The Country They point out that the effective application of tariffs faces legal and political obstacles, since the trade policy of EU countries is the responsibility of the European Commission, chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, who has so far not publicly commented on the announcement.
Among the national reactions, France categorically rejected the American president’s threats. In an official statement, the French Government affirmed that its participation in the military maneuvers in Greenland responds to its commitment to the sovereignty and independence of nations, as well as to security in the Arctic and on the outer limits of Europe. Paris assured that it will not accept intimidation or threats, and described the tariff warnings as “unacceptable”, while reaffirming that Europe will respond in a united and coordinated manner if these measures are confirmed.
France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
It is on this basis that we support, and will continue to support Ukraine…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 17, 2026
Trump has justified his position by alleging risks to global security and the presence of Chinese and Russian interests in the Arctic, in addition to insisting on the need to control Greenland for the development of an ambitious US anti-missile system. However, voices both in Europe and in the United States Congress itself have warned that this rhetoric damages transatlantic relations and benefits strategic adversaries of the West.
