Donald Trump has sparked international outrage after refusing to rule out seizing Greenland by force and threatening to impose tariffs on European nations if his demands are not met. In a telephone interview with NBC News, the US president said “no comment” when asked if he would use military force to acquire the Arctic island, while insisting he would “100%” push ahead with tariff plans.
Trump linked his threats to a perceived snub over the Nobel Peace Prize, telling NBC that Norway “totally controls” the award. He also urged European leaders to focus on the war in Ukraine rather than Greenland, saying: “Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine… that’s what Europe should focus on – not Greenland.”
European leaders have condemned Trump’s stance. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the tariff plan “completely wrong” and said any decision on Greenland belongs to its people and Denmark. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that intimidation would not work, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the EU would not be “blackmailed”. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen revealed that Denmark has proposed Nato surveillance operations in Greenland.
China has urged the US to stop using the “so-called ‘China threat’” as a justification for tariffs. In the UK, MPs have called for a boycott of the World Cup in response to Trump’s annexation plans. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said making tariff threats is “no way to treat allies”.
EU leaders are seeking to de-escalate the crisis through talks, but European Commission trade spokesperson Olof Gill warned that the bloc is prepared to respond if tariffs are imposed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe is “in a position to respond” to inappropriate tariffs, while French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged Europe to “step up”.
