Overview
- President Trump announced a 10% import tariff from February 1 on eight European countries, rising to 25% on June 1 without an agreement, framing the move as necessary to secure U.S. control over Greenland for national security.
- The targeted nations—the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Finland and Denmark—issued a joint statement warning the threat undermines transatlantic ties and affirming solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
- Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel called the plan blackmail, said all options remain on the table, and confirmed close coordination with the European Commission on a collective response.
- EU officials are weighing retaliatory measures including higher tariffs, actions aimed at tech firms and withholding ratification of a U.S.–EU trade agreement, while reporting indicates the U.S. Supreme Court will review the plan’s legality.
- Denmark is preparing the Arctic Endurance exercise in Greenland with allied personnel, described as supporting Arctic security, as the Netherlands’ top general urges avoiding a NATO split and notes no sign of an immediate direct threat.