The European Union (EU) is set to hold an emergency meeting in Brussels today after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on eight European countries over their opposition to a potential American acquisition of Greenland. Ambassadors from all twenty-seven EU member states will deliberate on the issue. 

 

Trump earlier announced in a social media post on Truth Social that a ten per cent tariff would take effect on the 1st of next month for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland. He added that the tariffs would rise to twenty five percent on the 1st of June and would remain in effect until Greenland is sold to the US. Trump had earlier stressed the strategic importance of Greenland for US security and its rich mineral resources. 

 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the move completely wrong, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as unacceptable. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. 

 

Meanwhile, several European countries have deployed troops to Greenland at Denmark’s request. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said they won’t let themselves be blackmailed. The EU has also put a pause on the ratification process of the EU-US trade deal announced back in July last year, which accounts for zero per cent tariffs on US products.

 

Protests have erupted in Greenland and Denmark, as thousands march, waving their national flag and chanting Greenland is not for sale.