BRUSSELS : European Union leaders have warned that US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European countries over his bid to acquire Greenland could undermine transatlantic trade relations and jeopardise the EU-US trade deal concluded last year.
Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, said an extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors would be held in Brussels on Sunday to discuss the issue.
In a joint statement, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa said the use of tariffs as leverage would risk escalating tensions between the EU and the United States.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” they said, adding that Europe would remain “united, coordinated and committed to upholding its sovereignty”.
The statement followed remarks by Trump indicating that, from Feb 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland could face tariffs of up to 10% on all goods exported to the US, with some earlier comments suggesting duties could reach as high as 25%.
The warning comes days after Danish and Greenlandic officials held talks in Washington regarding Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland, though no agreement was reached.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the bloc said, while emphasising that dialogue with Washington remained essential.
The tariff threat has also raised concerns within the European Parliament. Manfred Weber, leader of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), said Trump’s remarks cast doubt on the EU-US trade deal negotiated last year.
“The EPP supports the EU-US trade agreement, but in light of Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage,” Weber said in a post on X, adding that the proposed zero-tariff treatment for US products should be put on hold.
In July, Brussels and Washington agreed that most EU exports to the US would face a 15% levy, though negotiations are ongoing as both sides seek further trade concessions.
