EU Chief Condemns Trump’s Greenland Tariff Threat as a Strategic Misstep
DAVOS, Switzerland — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on European countries opposing his administration’s pursuit of Greenland, calling the move “a mistake” that risks undermining longstanding alliances. The dispute over Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, has intensified transatlantic tensions just as the United States and the European Union seek to solidify trade relations.
Addressing the World Economic Forum here, von der Leyen emphasized that Arctic security and economic cooperation require collaboration rather than confrontation. “Arctic security can only be achieved together,” she said, underscoring the importance of mutual trust between allies. “The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies. The EU and U.S. have agreed to a trade deal last July. And in politics as in business — a deal is a deal. And when friends shake hands, it must mean something.”
The European Commission president’s remarks come in response to President Trump’s announcement that starting February 1, the United States will impose 10% tariffs on eight countries, including several European nations, that have pushed back against Washington’s Greenland ambitions. The tariff threat has alarmed European leaders, who fear it could trigger a downward spiral in trade relations just as both sides attempt to recover from previous trade disputes.
Von der Leyen warned that escalating tensions would only benefit shared adversaries. “We consider the people of the United States not just our allies, but our friends. And plunging us into a dangerous downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape,” she said, pledging that the EU’s response would be “unflinching, united and proportional.”
The controversy over Greenland has also sparked political debate within the United States. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, with even Republicans divided on the issue. The island’s strategic location in the Arctic has drawn increased attention amid global competition for influence in the region, but the approach taken by the Trump administration has raised questions about diplomatic strategy.
Experts note that the U.S. and EU’s July trade agreement, which aimed to reduce tariffs and strengthen economic ties, is now at risk. The Office of the United States Trade Representative had hailed the deal as a milestone in transatlantic commerce, but the Greenland tariff threat threatens to unravel progress. The European Commission’s official statements reflect growing frustration with Washington’s approach.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State continues to emphasize the importance of Arctic security cooperation, but the tariff announcement complicates diplomatic efforts. Analysts from the Council on Foreign Relations have warned that such confrontational tactics risk alienating allies at a time when unity on global challenges is critical.
As President Trump prepares to address European leaders later this week, the Greenland dispute remains a flashpoint in an already fraught relationship. The EU’s firm stance signals that any attempts to leverage tariffs over territorial ambitions will be met with coordinated resistance, underscoring the delicate balance of diplomacy and economic interests in the transatlantic alliance.
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