U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed acquisition of Greenland drew condemnation from European leaders. The tariffs, announced as a 10% levy on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, are slated to take effect on February 1 and could potentially rise to 25%.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariff threat as "completely wrong," while French President Emmanuel Macron deemed it "unacceptable." Trump has maintained that the autonomous Danish territory is critical for U.S. security, and has not dismissed the possibility of acquiring it by force.
In response to Trump's threats, the European Union convened an emergency meeting in Brussels on Sunday at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). According to Reuters, the meeting involved ambassadors from the EU's 27 member countries.
The proposed tariffs stem from Trump's interest in purchasing Greenland, an idea he has repeatedly floated despite strong opposition from both Greenland and Denmark. The U.S. president believes Greenland holds strategic importance, particularly due to its location and potential resource wealth.
The Danish government has consistently rejected the notion of selling Greenland, emphasizing its commitment to the territory's autonomy. Greenlanders have also voiced their opposition to a potential U.S. takeover, with protests taking place in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday.
The tariffs are intended to remain in place until a deal is reached regarding Greenland, though the specific nature of such a deal remains unclear. The situation remains fluid, with the EU's emergency meeting signaling a coordinated response to the U.S. president's actions.
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