The United States imposes tariffs on 'island grabbing', and eight European countries issue a joint statement threatening to impose tariffs and undermine transatlantic relations (international perspective)

On January 17th, US President Trump announced on social media that he will impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting from February 1st. Trump said that the tariff rate will increase to 25% from June 1st until the relevant parties reach an agreement on the United States' "comprehensive and thorough purchase" of Greenland. The EU and several European countries strongly condemn this. On January 18th, the aforementioned eight European countries issued a joint statement stating that threatening to impose tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and pose a risk of triggering a dangerous vicious cycle. The eight countries will "unite and coordinate" to respond.

Every insult, threat, tariff, and lie has strengthened our determination

Greenland is the world's largest island and a Danish autonomous territory. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland and claimed that the possibility of using force cannot be ruled out. Denmark and other European countries strongly oppose this. Denmark has recently strengthened its military deployment in Greenland in response to the US' attempt to seize the island. Seven European countries, including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, have also announced that they will send troops to participate in the "Arctic Endurance" military exercise led by Denmark. Danish Defense Minister Trolls Poulsen revealed that soldiers from multiple NATO countries will be stationed in Greenland on a rotation basis to demonstrate Europe's security concerns in the Arctic region to the United States.

On the 17th, Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on eight European countries. On the same day, President Costa of the European Council and President von der Leyen of the European Commission issued a joint statement, pointing out that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is a basic principle of international law and is of vital importance to Europe and the entire international community. The European Union is united with the people of Denmark and Greenland. The military exercises coordinated by Denmark and its allies aim to enhance Arctic security and pose no threat to any country. The joint statement emphasizes the importance of dialogue and states that Europe will maintain unity and coordination, and firmly uphold its sovereignty.

Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen emphasized that "the purpose of increasing Europe's military presence in Greenland is to enhance security in the Arctic region." He revealed that Denmark is in close contact with the European Commission and other partners to discuss countermeasures. Every insult, threat, tariff, and lie has strengthened our determination. The response from Denmark and Greenland is final: we will never surrender Greenland

French President Macron stated that France is committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and independence of countries around the world, and based on this, supports Denmark in maintaining its sovereignty. Therefore, France has decided to participate in the exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland. Greenland is a matter of Arctic security and European border security. No intimidation or threat can shake us. The threat of tariffs is unacceptable and untimely. Europe will unite and coordinate its response to jointly defend European sovereignty, "Macron said.

British Prime Minister Stamer issued a statement saying that the UK's position on Greenland is very clear, 'It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future should be decided by the people of Greenland and Denmark'. Stamer pointed out that "imposing tariffs on allies pursuing NATO's collective security is completely wrong," and the UK will directly negotiate with the US government.

We will not allow ourselves to be extorted, "said Swedish Prime Minister Kristensen. Sweden is engaged in intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the UK to seek a joint response. Norwegian Prime Minister St ø ller stated that such threats are "unacceptable" and have no place among allies. Finnish President Stub urges the United States to resolve differences through dialogue rather than unilateral pressure. German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius emphasized that Germany is coordinating possible response measures with European partners. Dutch Foreign Minister David Vanwell stated that the United States' imposition of tariffs on European countries in order to obtain Greenland is an "unjustified" act of "extortion" and does not rule out the possibility of the European Union taking countermeasures.

The United States' use of tariffs and economic threats to forcefully pursue illegal territorial claims is appalling

Faced with the threat of tariffs from the United States, EU public opinion emphasizes the need to unite and defend its sovereignty and interests. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Callas, stated that this move by the United States may cause economic damage to both Europe and the United States, ultimately resulting in more losses than gains.

According to the EU US trade agreement reached in July last year, the EU had originally agreed to lift tariffs on US made industrial products and provide preferential market access for US seafood and agricultural products in exchange for the US imposing a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US. After the US announced the imposition of tariffs, several European Parliament members stated that the trade agreement would not be passed due to the US threat to Greenland, and they also called for the use of anti coercive tools to respond to the US tariffs.

Bernd Lang, Chairman of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, said that the US move is using tariffs as a "political weapon" to coerce Europe into making concessions. He urged the European Commission to immediately initiate procedures related to anti coercion tools and provide a "clear response" to the unilateral actions of the United States. Catherine Van Brenput, Vice President of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, believes that "the United States' use of tariffs and economic threats to forcefully pursue illegal territorial claims is appalling", and approving the European American trade agreement in this situation is "not pragmatic, but foolish".

Manfred Weber, the chairman of the European People's Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, has made it clear that "given the threat from the United States, the European Parliament will not be able to approve the trade agreement previously reached between Europe and the United States, and the zero tariff measures on US related products must also be suspended." Valerie Aye, the chairman of the Renaissance European Group, said that the US government's actions are "unacceptable" and that Europe should shift from dependence to taking deterrent measures. She suggested that the EU explicitly consider launching anti coercion tools, stating that "this tool is designed to address this type of economic coercion". The member of parliament responsible for coordinating trade affairs, Karin Carlsborough, believes that the European American trade agreement no longer receives sufficient support in parliament. If the US continues to coerce, there is a possibility of retaliatory tariffs or the use of anti coercive tools.

The provocation and blackmail by the United States once again prove that Europe must draw a clear line with the United States

On January 17th, demonstrations were held in Denmark and multiple parts of Greenland to protest against the United States' attempt to "control" or "purchase" Greenland. According to statistics, over 20000 Danish citizens gathered in the capital Copenhagen to support Greenland and call for respect for its right to self-determination. In Greenland, thousands of people held demonstrations and marches in the capital city of Nuuk and other towns. The marching crowd shouted slogans such as' Never sell Greenland 'all the way.

The Guardian reported that the deployment of European troops to Greenland is partly to explore the possibility of establishing long-term military deployments in the region, and partly to demonstrate to the United States the importance that NATO European member states attach to Arctic security. The tariff threat from the United States marks an unprecedented escalation of its actions to seize Denmark's autonomous territory.

Portuguese military expert Rafael Martins said that the US move "constitutes an open and clear provocation". Portuguese historian Rui Loredo believes that the US approach disregards both international order and historical common sense, attempting to solve sovereignty issues through "19th-century power politics", and ultimately only intensifying confrontation. The United States regards sovereign territories as tradable real estate, which is tantamount to shaking the foundation of international law, "said Blanca Latinovic, Vice President of the Serbian European Movement International Relations Forum

Marcel Flatscher, director of the German Economic Research Institute, said that unless Europe shows a unified stance, deepens integration, straightens its spine, and takes wiser actions, Trump's pressure will be endless. He emphasized that the EU urgently needs to strengthen its global partnership, especially cooperation with China and other international actors, to more effectively protect its economic interests.

Rasmus Senghor, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute of International Studies, believes that the United States' imposition of tariffs on European countries may ultimately lead to a full-scale trade war between the United States and the European Union, and make it more difficult to resolve the Greenland issue through diplomatic channels. The provocation and extortion by the United States once again prove that Europe must draw a clear line with the United States. It is not feasible to blindly comply and flatter. Europe needs to quickly make a united and strong response