Nicușor Dan and Donald Trump shake hands at the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025 Photo: Presidential Administration
President Nicușor Dan commented, in a post on X, in English, on the rise in tensions between Washington and European NATO allies after President Donald Trump announced that he would impose additional tariffs on eight countries that oppose the White House's intention to buy Greenland.
“I am deeply concerned about the escalation in public statements between transatlantic partners and allies regarding recent events. We need to resume discussions by speaking directly to each other, at the appropriate diplomatic level,” Nicușor Dan wrote.
I am deeply concerned by the escalation in public statements between transatlantic partners and allies regarding recent developments.
We have to resume talking directly to each other, at the appropriate diplomatic levels.— Nicusor Dan (@NicusorDanRO) January 18, 2026
President Donald Trump announced in a post on the Truth Social network that he is imposing 10% tariffs on eight European countries that oppose the US's intention to buy Greenland. The tax level will be increased to 25% from June 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached on the acquisition of the island, the US president says.
In addition to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland are targeted. According to the American president, these states are playing “a very dangerous game” by their opposition to the ceding of Greenland to the United States.
“That's why it's imperative that, in order to protect global peace and security, tough action is taken to bring this potentially dangerous situation to a quick and unequivocal end,” says Donald Trump.
He then announces that starting February 1, 2026, all of the countries mentioned will be charged a 10% tariff on any goods exported to the United States of America. “On June 1, 2026, the tariff will be increased to 25%. The tariff will be applied until an agreement is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” Trump said.
“It's a scary time.” The EU is preparing a response to Trump over Greenland, and some are considering an unimaginable option. The first step has already been taken
The ratification of the EU-US trade agreement will be stalled in the European Parliament after Trump announced new tariffs against some European states. The EU bloc is discussing the next steps, and some voices are talking about using the anti-coercion tool, the EU's “trade bazooka”, which could be used to impose a wide range of restrictions related to trade, investment and financing, write Politico and Bloomberg
