Trump Tariffs on Europe Over Greenland Dispute Stir NATO and EU Response

World News

-Oneindia Staff

Plans
by
President
Donald
Trump
to
levy
tariffs
on
Europe
over
the
Greenland
dispute
are
unsettling
allies.
Critics
warn
that
the
step
risks
straining
NATO
ties
and
trust
within
the
alliance.
Senior
European
Union
figures
describe
the
move
as
destabilising.
They
argue
it
sends
confusing
signals
to
partners
at
a
sensitive
moment
for
global
security.

Trump
has
proposed
a
10%
import
tax
on
goods
from
eight
European
countries
backing
Denmark
over
Greenland.
European
leaders
insist
that
Denmark’s
authority
over
Greenland
is
not
up
for
discussion.
Several
capitals
signal
that
they
will
coordinate
their
response.
Officials
suggest
any
answer
will
reflect
both
legal
obligations
and
wider
strategic
interests.

Greenland’s
Prime
Minister
Jens-Frederik
Nielsen
stresses
the
value
of
respect
in
foreign
relations.
Nielsen
thanks
the
European
Union
for
backing
Greenland
and
Denmark
during
the
dispute.
Nielsen
recalls
Greenland’s
long-standing
partnership
with
NATO
and
the
United
States.
Nielsen
says
cooperation
must
rest
on
mutual
respect
and
recognition
of
each
partner’s
sovereignty.

Greenland’s
leadership
underlines
that
territorial
questions
are
governed
by
international
law.
The
government
argues
that
outside
pressure
cannot
override
legal
borders.
The
leader
of
Greenland
highlights
the
importance
of
respecting
territorial
integrity
and
international
law,
stating
that
these
principles
are
not
negotiable.
This
message
is
aimed
at
Washington,
but
also
reassures
European
supporters.

European
Union
policymakers
are
studying
potential
countermeasures
to
Trump’s
tariff
threat.
Options
under
review
include
targeted
retaliatory
tariffs.
Officials
are
also
weighing
use
of
the
EU’s
new
anti-coercion
instrument,
which
has
never
been
activated.
French
President
Emmanuel
Macron
warns
that
further
US
tariffs
could
force
the
EU
to
use
that
tool
against
Washington.

Macron
notes
that
the
European
Union
has
powerful
economic
levers,
sometimes
described
as
a
“trade
bazooka.” Macron
signals
that
these
instruments
may
be
deployed
if
dialogue
fails.
Macron
also
urges
allied
governments
to
reduce
tensions.
Macron
asks
partners
to
direct
their
efforts
toward
peace
and
stability
instead
of
new
trade
clashes.

EU
Greenland
tariffs
response
and
NATO,
Davos
diplomacy

Trump’s
interest
in
acquiring
Greenland
has
already
stretched
Europe’s
patience.
Trump
argues
that
American
control
would
help
counter
strategic
threats
from
China
and
Russia
in
the
Arctic.
Trump
is
known
for
using
pressure
tactics
in
negotiations.
Trump
plans
to
attend
the
World
Economic
Forum
in
Davos,
where
advisers
suggest
Trump
may
try
to
calm
the
dispute.

The
European
Union’s
most
senior
official,
Ursula
von
der
Leyen,
openly
criticises
Trump’s
tariff
announcement.
She
calls
the
planned
duties
a
“mistake”
and
questions
Trump’s
reliability
as
a
partner.
Von
der
Leyen
insists
that
agreements
among
allies
must
be
respected.
She
warns
that
undermining
partners
could
hand
opportunities
to
rival
powers
and
adversaries.

EU
Greenland
tariffs
response,
Arctic
security
and
wider
reactions

Reactions
outside
Brussels
show
differing
views
on
how
Europe
should
answer
Washington.
California
Governor
Gavin
Newsom
labels
Europe’s
response
weak
and
urges
European
states
to
stand
together
against
US
pressure.
In
contrast,
Swedish
Defence
Minister
Pal
Jonson
signals
alignment
with
some
US
security
concerns
through
new
Arctic
plans.

Pal
Jonson
outlines
preparations
for
a
permanent
military
presence
in
the
Arctic
region.
Swedish
officials
say
the
move
is
intended
to
strengthen
regional
security.
That
position
overlaps
with
US
calls
for
stronger
activity
in
the
high
north.
The
Arctic’s
growing
military
importance
adds
another
layer
to
the
Greenland
disagreement
and
NATO
debates.

EU
Greenland
tariffs
response
and
Chagos
Islands
dispute

Strains
linked
to
Greenland
are
emerging
alongside
a
separate
dispute
between
Washington
and
London.
The
United
Kingdom
has
decided
to
transfer
sovereignty
of
the
Chagos
Islands
to
Mauritius.
Trump
criticises
this
British
decision
and
argues
that
the
step
proves
why
Trump
believes
he
requires
control
over
Greenland.

US
House
Speaker
Mike
Johnson
seeks
to
limit
damage
to
relations
with
Britain.
Johnson
tells
British
lawmakers
that
he
hopes
both
countries
can
settle
their
differences
amicably.
Johnson
stresses
the
long
friendship
between
the
United
States
and
the
United
Kingdom.
Johnson
says
their
history
shows
they
can
manage
disagreements
peacefully.

Despite
the
sharp
language,
some
officials
attempt
to
cool
the
situation.
US
Treasury
Secretary
Scott
Bessent
maintains
that
relations
with
Europe
remain
strong.
Bessent
urges
all
trading
partners
to
stay
calm
while
discussions
continue.
European
governments,
however,
say
Trump’s
approach
is
testing
solidarity
and
raising
doubts
over
long-term
reliability.

Diplomatic
activity
across
European
capitals
has
increased
as
leaders
evaluate
options
on
tariffs
and
Greenland.
Meetings
now
address
defence,
trade
and
sovereignty
together,
highlighting
how
linked
these
issues
are.
The
unfolding
dispute
shows
how
arguments
over
Greenland,
and
related
territories,
complicate
alliance
politics
in
an
already
tense
international
environment.