European Unity and Transatlantic Tensions - Responses to Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats

19th January 2026

As the world watches a sharp escalation in U.S.-European relations, leaders across Europe have responded with rare unity to President Donald Trump's recent announcement that he will impose tariffs on several key allies over their opposition to his push to take control of Greenland.

The move has prompted strong diplomatic rebukes, coordinated statements of solidarity among NATO partners, and urgent political responses that spotlight deep concerns about the future of transatlantic cooperation.

President Trump's threat, first articulated on 17 January 2026, would see an initial 10 % tariff on goods imported from eight European countries — including Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom — starting 1 February. Trump indicated the tariff could rise to 25 % by June if these governments do not concede to U.S. demands regarding Greenland.

European capitals reacted swiftly. Within hours of Trump’s announcement, the affected nations issued a joint statement condemning the tariff threats as an inappropriate tactic against allies and warning that they "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral." This message was echoed by European Union institutions, which emphasised solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Strong Statements from Across Europe[b]

Across the continent, leaders were unequivocal:

Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden rejected the idea that their military presence in Greenland — part of routine NATO cooperation — posed any threat to the United States. Officials labelled the tariff threat as coercive and inappropriate among treaty allies, reaffirming that Greenland’s future should be decided by Denmark and Greenlanders themselves.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron went further, urging the European Union to prepare its full suite of trade‑defence tools — sometimes called the "anti‑coercion instrument" or trade “bazooka” — to respond forcefully if tariffs are applied.

Ireland’s government also condemned the plan as “completely unacceptable,” framing it as economic coercion that could threaten broader U.S.-EU cooperation and international norms.

EU leaders, including the European Commission and Council presidents, stressed that tariffs risk harming economic ties and could be counter‑productive if they distract from shared security challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and wider geopolitical competition with Russia and China.

[b]United Kingdom’s Position and Starmer’s Nationwide Statement

The United Kingdom has been clear in its criticism: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly rejected the idea of tariffs on allies and defended the principle that Greenland’s status should be decided by its people and by Denmark, not through economic threats. In the face of Trump’s announcement, Starmer engaged in a series of high‑level calls with the Prime Minister of Denmark, the President of the European Commission, and NATO’s Secretary‑General to underscore this view.

Starmer described the application of tariffs to support collective NATO security as “wrong” and said the UK would pursue its concerns directly with the U.S. administration.

On 19 January 2026, the Prime Minister is due to make a nationwide statement this morning addressing the tariff crisis and reiterating the UK’s stance in the context of European coordination and NATO solidarity. Starmer is expected to emphasise the historical importance of transatlantic partnerships, the shared responsibility for Arctic security, and the need for diplomatic cooperation rather than economic coercion.

A Unified European Response — but With Caution

European leaders, even while critical of Trump’s approach, have moderated their language with an eye to maintaining important diplomatic and security relationships. Most capitals have stopped short of immediate retaliation, instead emphasising the need for dialogue and negotiation. At the same time, officials are preparing contingency measures, including potential trade countermeasures under the EU’s anti‑coercion framework, and are coordinating emergency meetings of EU ambassadors to map a collective response.

The overall picture is one of cautious unity: European countries are united in defending sovereign decision‑making and opposing tariff threats against allies, while also seeking to preserve the broader strategic alignment with the United States that underpins NATO and the transatlantic alliance. Whether this unity will translate into a lasting diplomatic solution or deepen political and economic friction remains to be seen as Trump’s tariff deadline approaches.

Timeline: Trump’s Greenland Tariffs and European Reactions

Before Jan 17 2026 — Background to the Dispute

In early January, small contingents of European troops from NATO countries participated in a Danish‑led military exercise in Greenland, a semi‑autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. This was intended as routine security cooperation in the Arctic, not a provocation, but it came amid renewed statements from President Trump about acquiring Greenland, a strategic interest he has raised periodically since his first presidency.

Jan 17 2026 — Trump Announces Tariffs

On Saturday, January 17 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States would impose a 10 % tariff on imports from eight European allies — Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom — from February 1. The tariff, Trump said, would rise to 25 % on June 1 if a “deal” for the **complete and total purchase of Greenland” is not reached.

Trump framed the move as necessary for U.S. national security, citing Greenland’s strategic location and mineral resources. He also claimed that allied troop deployments in an exercise called “Arctic Endurance” represented a security risk — a point strongly rejected by European governments.

Jan 17–18 2026 — Protests and Immediate European Pushback

Almost immediately after the tariff announcement:

Protests erupted in Copenhagen, Nuuk (Greenland’s capital), and elsewhere, with people chanting “Hands Off Greenland” and demanding respect for Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty.

European capitals reacted with strong diplomatic criticism. Danish officials called the announcement a “surprise,” and French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the tariff threats as “unacceptable” with no place among close allies.

UK leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, likewise labelled the tariff ultimatum wrong, emphasising that Greenland’s future is for Denmark and Greenlanders to decide and not for economic pressure from another power.

Jan 18 2026 — Joint European Statement and Diplomatic Coordination

By Sunday, January 18, 2026, eight European governments issued a rare joint statement condemning the tariff threat. They warned it “undermines transatlantic relations and risk[s] a dangerous downward spiral,” emphasising their unity in support of Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty.

That same day, emergency diplomatic coordination began:

EU ambassadors and national leaders convened talks to discuss their response and potential retaliatory measures, including the use of the EU’s anti‑coercion instrument — sometimes called the “trade bazooka” — which could impose counter‑tariffs if tariffs are applied.

Plans were reported for a further EU summit, likely in Brussels, to deliberate collective strategy.

Jan 18–19 2026 — Public and Political Backlash Widens

As the diplomatic responses hardened:

European leaders from every targeted country — including the Nordics, France, Germany, and Britain — reiterated that threats or coercion among allies were unacceptable. Many underscored that NATO cooperation should not be weaponised through trade policy.

Ireland’s government condemned the tariffs as “completely unacceptable” and called for upholding democratic principles and sovereignty.

Discussions began in some capitals about how to protect their economies and legal positions if tariffs are imposed, including possible legal challenges and preparations for countermeasures under EU trade law.

Morning of Jan 19 2026 — UK National Statement

On Monday morning, 19 January 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to make a nationwide statement on the issue, underlining the UK’s position and response within the broader European context. Starmer’s government has already signalled that it will pursue diplomatic dialogue with the U.S. and protect European interests while rejecting the use of tariffs against allies.

Where Things Stand Now

As this timeline shows, the situation has moved rapidly in just a few days from a strategic Arctic dispute to a potential transatlantic diplomatic and trade crisis:

The U.S. has escalated economic pressure by threatening tariffs tied to a geopolitical objective.

European countries have responded with unprecedented joint communiques, emergency meetings, and plans for coordinated action, signalling that they see this as a critical challenge to alliance norms and trade relations.

Civil society reactions — including protests in Greenland and Denmark — reflect deep public concern about sovereignty and international law.

What happens next will depend on diplomatic negotiations in the coming days and whether the U.S. press ahead with tariff enforcement while Europe potentially considers its own trade measures or legal challenges.