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 place a 10% levy on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. The tariffs could potentially rise to 25% and would remain in place until a deal is reached, according to Trump.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariff threat as "completely wrong," while French President Emmanuel Macron deemed it "unacceptable." The proposed tariffs stem from Trump's insistence that Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is critical for U.S. security. He has not ruled out acquiring the territory by force.

The notion of a U.S. takeover of Greenland has sparked protests in both Greenland and Denmark. Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday against the proposal.

Greenland's strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it valuable for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, according to security analysts. The territory is sparsely populated but rich in natural resources.

The White House has not yet issued a formal response to the European leaders' criticisms. The proposed tariffs add another layer of complexity to already strained transatlantic relations, particularly concerning trade policies. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the February 1 deadline approaches.