EU leaders unite against US pressure
European leaders have vowed a united front after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland. Speaking for the bloc, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasized that Europe will remain “united, coordinated and committed” to protecting its sovereignty. The proposed tariffs, starting at 10% on products from eight European countries, could rise to 25% by June if Greenland’s sale does not proceed.
The announcement follows a joint European mission to Greenland aimed at Arctic security, prompting sharp retaliation from Washington. EU Council President António Costa pledged to coordinate a response, warning that such tariff threats could undermine transatlantic relations and trigger a dangerous escalation.
Greenland dispute sparks alarm
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has become the focal point of escalating tensions. The Trump administration has framed the issue as a matter of national security, insisting the territory must be transferred to the US “the easy way or the hard way.” Denmark has rejected these claims, supported by intelligence showing no foreign warships, including Chinese vessels, have approached Greenland in over a decade.
European leaders see the US tariffs as an attempt at coercion. Macron declared that Europe would not be intimidated, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned that the bloc would not allow itself to be blackmailed. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the European mission was intended to enhance Arctic security, not provoke confrontation.
Calls to activate Europe’s trade “bazooka”
The dispute has reignited demands to deploy the EU’s anti-coercion instrument, a powerful trade tool designed to counter political pressure. Adopted in 2023, it allows Europe to restrict access to public procurement, limit trade licenses, and close off elements of the single market to retaliate against countries attempting coercion.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, said the EU could no longer treat the situation as normal business, accusing Trump of using trade as a tool for political leverage. Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party, called for freezing the current EU-US trade deal, warning that zero tariffs on American goods should be suspended until the Greenland issue is resolved. With tensions rising, Europe appears ready to push back against the latest threat to its sovereignty.
