US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the imposition of tariffs of 10%. at eight European countries for their attitude towards his claims to Greenland. Tariffs are to increase to 25% in June. and remain in force until the US concludes an agreement to purchase the island.
Tariffs will increase in February and June
The American leader wrote on the Truth Social social media platform that on February 1 he would impose 10 percent tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain.
On June 1, customs duties are to increase to 25%. and are to remain in force until “an agreement is agreed on the complete and total purchase of Greenland” by the US, according to Trump's entry.
According to the US president, these countries “they went to Greenland for unknown reasons”, which has led to “a very dangerous situation for the safety, security and survival of our planet.”
“The United States of America is open to immediate negotiations with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk despite everything we have done for them, including maximum protection for many decades,” the US president wrote.
Trump has repeatedly spoken about the need for the United States to take over Greenland, and at the beginning of the year he intensified his rhetoric. He recently speculated that if the US does not take control of Greenland, China or Russia will do so.
The BBC reported on Thursday that France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Great Britain sent small groups of soldiers to Greenland. They are to take part in the Danish-led Arctic Endurance exercises.
Costa on Trump's threats regarding tariffs for supporting Greenland: we will defend international law
European Council President Antonio Costa commented on Saturday's threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on countries supporting Greenland, saying that “the European Union will always firmly defend international law.”
Costa was asked about Trump's announcement to impose tariffs on European countries that sent troops to Greenland during a press conference in Asuncion, Paraguay after the EU signed a trade agreement with Mercosur.
The Head of the Council announced that he was coordinating the joint response of EU Member States on this matter, emphasizing that the EU would defend international law, especially if it concerns the territory of Community countries.
– If Russia attacks Ukraine, we must defend the territorial integrity, sovereignty and international law in Ukraine. If human rights are being violated in Venezuela, we must stand up for human rights in Venezuela. If we want prosperity, we must open markets, not close them. We need to create economic integration zones, not raise customs duties, he said.
Costa added that what is needed now is not conflict, but peace, and not competition between countries, but cooperation. – The most important thing is to always defend international law, regardless of where it applies, he said.
Macron: Threats regarding tariffs are unacceptable, Europe will respond to them
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Saturday on the X platform that US President Donald Trump's threats regarding tariffs are unacceptable and if they are confirmed, European countries will respond to them together. He announced contacts with France's partners in Europe.
In his comment, Macron emphasized that France is attached to the sovereignty and independence of states.
“We therefore support and will support Ukraine and have formed a coalition of those willing to work for a solid and lasting peace to defend these principles and our security. Also in this regard, we have decided to join the exercises in Greenland decided by Denmark,” the French president noted.
He then added: “It's about security in the Arctic and on the borders of our Europe.”
“No intimidation or threat can influence us, neither in Ukraine nor in Greenland,” Macron assured. He said that “threats regarding tariffs are unacceptable” and added that “if confirmed, Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated way.”
Trade representative: The EU should isolate the issue of tariffs from the trade agreement
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Saturday that the EU should isolate the issue of President Donald Trump's announced tariffs related to Greenland from the trade agreement with the United States.
– If I were Europeans, I would probably try to isolate (the issue) if possible. If they want to make it the subject of a trade agreement, that's their business, not ours, said Greer, quoted by Reuters.
White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser Stephen Miller said on Fox News on Friday that Denmark should not be able to control territory that it felt it could not defend. – Denmark is a small country with a small economy and a small army. It is unable to defend Greenland, he added.
From Washington Natalia Dziurdzińska (PAP)
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