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Trump Sets Feb. 1 Tariffs on European Allies, Tying Them to Greenland Purchase

EU leaders denounced the move as a threat to transatlantic ties, prompting an emergency session on Sunday.

Overview

  • President Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland starting Feb. 1, rising to 25% on June 1.
  • Trump said the tariffs will stay in place until a deal is reached for the “complete and total” U.S. purchase of Greenland, framing the acquisition as a national security imperative.
  • EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa warned the measure could trigger a “dangerous downward spiral,” with EU envoys set to meet at 4:00 GMT on Sunday.
  • Manfred Weber signaled the EUU.S. trade deal is in jeopardy, saying approval is not possible under the tariff threat and calling for planned 0% tariffs on U.S. products to be put on hold.
  • European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, rejected the pressure campaign, Danish and Greenlandic authorities reiterated that the territory is not for sale, and U.S. critics—from Senator Thom Tillis to economists—warned the tariffs would harm Americans.