Overview
- President Trump announced 10% tariffs from February 1, rising to 25% June 1, on eight European countries until an agreement is reached for a full purchase of Greenland, with the new levies stacking on existing duties to push effective rates toward about 35–40%.
- The European Parliament’s ruling majority paused ratification of the EU–US trade agreement, with a formal vote on the suspension set for Wednesday, and EU institutions warned the tariffs would damage transatlantic relations.
- EU ambassadors meet in an emergency session today after Cyprus, holding the rotating presidency, called the gathering to consider a unified response and potential countermeasures.
- The eight targeted nations issued a joint statement pledging unity, defending their sovereignty, and stressing that Denmark’s Arctic Endurance exercise was pre-coordinated with allies and posed no threat.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she told Trump the tariff plan is a mistake, urged de-escalation through NATO channels, and described the dispute as a misunderstanding, as large protests in Nuuk and Danish cities decried US pressure on Greenland.