Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Recently, the US has continued to escalate its “island grab” efforts and has even threatened to impose tariffs on European allies to force them to abandon their opposition to Washington over Greenland.
On January 17, the US officially announced its decision to impose tariffs on its European allies until an agreement on the purchase of Greenland is reached. This move further exacerbates already tense relations between the US and Europe.
File photo: D. Trump
In fact, the United States has long had a claim on Greenland. Even during his first term as president, Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of purchasing Greenland. Since the beginning of this year, frequent statements from the White House have only fueled interest in this topic. Previously, Donald Trump not only declared that "we absolutely need Greenland," but the White House even contemplated the use of military force. Now, with the introduction of tariff measures, the intention to advance the "island takeover" through economic pressure has become clear.
The imposition of tariffs to secure a Greenland deal has angered Europe, which says: "Blackmail is unacceptable."
On January 17, US President Donald Trump announced on social media that, due to the situation surrounding Greenland, the United States would impose a 10% tariff on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. He also stated that the tariff rate would increase to 25% beginning in early June and would remain in effect until a deal for the United States to purchase Greenland is reached.
The threat had barely been made when the eight countries in question quickly reacted, sharply condemning Washington's actions.
A joint statement issued on January 18 by the UK, Denmark and Finland, eight countries in total, warned: "Tariffs will undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral."
Moreover, many European leaders, with rare unanimity, spoke publicly, expressing a categorical position regarding D. Trump’s threats.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the threat: "Threats of tariffs are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner if these threats are confirmed. We will ensure the protection of European sovereignty."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision "absolutely wrong" and said he planned to discuss the issue with Donald Trump "as soon as possible."
German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that Germany must under no circumstances succumb to blackmail, and European countries must give a clear response.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated, "Europe cannot be blackmailed." Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Trump's ultimatum threatens the "world order" and the future of the NATO military alliance.
It is noteworthy that criticism was not only voiced by the eight countries that were threatened.
Ireland and Croatia issued their own condemnation, and even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, considered one of Trump's close allies in Europe, publicly spoke out against it, saying that "introducing new sanctions would be a mistake" and that she had conveyed her position to the American leader.
Europe is no longer prepared to endure in silence.
There is a possibility of using a "trade bazooka"
In response to the threats, Europe is not limiting itself to verbal condemnations but is also taking concrete action. According to foreign media reports, the EU has already begun urgently coordinating countermeasures in response to the US threats.
Following the January 18 meeting, diplomats from several EU countries reported that the EU is considering imposing tariffs on €93 billion worth of US goods or restricting market access for US companies. These measures would be a response to US threats.
These retaliatory tariffs would reinstate measures suspended by the EU after the signing of the trade agreement with the US in July 2025. Compared to some other options under discussion, this measure could be implemented "very quickly."
Several officials have said an alternative could be to use the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), the so-called "trade bazooka" designed to punish countries that use the market for geopolitical blackmail.
According to Reuters, the anti-coercion instrument could restrict US participation in government procurement, investment, or banking, or limit trade in services.
Regarding the attitude towards the two options within the EU, according to the source, the tariff option as an initial retaliatory measure currently appears to be gaining wider support, while the adoption of anti-coercive measures is “ambiguous”.
A major rift in transatlantic relations
"A Dangerous Downward Spiral"
Currently, US threats have already provoked a response at the alliance level. The tariff crisis, triggered by the escalation of US "island-grabbing" efforts, has become a test of the strength and resilience of the transatlantic partnership.
On the 17th, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that US threats to impose tariffs on several European countries over Greenland could undermine transatlantic relations and create the risk of a "dangerous downward spiral." This warning elevates the economic conflict to the level of alliance security and trust.
The British newspaper "Financial Times" notes that Donald Trump's tough statements on the Greenland issue have exposed the most serious differences between NATO allies since the founding of the alliance and have provoked an angry reaction from European leaders and business leaders, who had previously shown relative restraint due to fears of losing US support regarding Ukraine.
Regarding next steps, diplomatic and coordination channels remain open. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that he had already held discussions with Donald Trump on the "security situation in Greenland and the Arctic region" and hoped to return to the issue again this week.
A. Costa, in turn, announced that, given the importance of the developments and in order to further strengthen coordination, an extraordinary meeting of the European Council will be convened in the coming days to coordinate further actions.
A. Costa emphasized that, based on the results of a joint assessment conducted by the EU and its Member States, the imposition of US tariffs against the EU is incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement. The EU will remain united and committed to the fundamental principles of international law protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, and will jointly and firmly support Denmark and Greenland.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.