European leaders condemned a threat by President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs on eight allied nations opposed to his proposed acquisition of Greenland. The tariffs, announced by Trump, would target goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland with an initial 10% levy, potentially rising to 25%, effective February 1.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariff threat as "completely wrong," while French President Emmanuel Macron deemed it "unacceptable." The proposed tariffs are intended to remain in place until a deal is reached regarding Greenland, which Trump insists is critical for U.S. security. He has not ruled out acquiring the territory by force.

The autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, while sparsely populated, is rich in resources and strategically located between North America and the Arctic. This location makes it valuable for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks.

Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday against the proposed U.S. takeover. The potential acquisition has sparked controversy and raised questions about sovereignty and international relations. The Danish government has repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale. The U.S. State Department has so far declined to comment on the proposed tariffs. The situation remains fluid, and the potential impact on trade relations between the U.S. and its European allies is uncertain.