By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
European Union (EU) has convened an emergency meeting of ambassadors from its 27 member states after US President Donald Trump threatened higher tariffs on European allies to pressure Denmark into selling Greenland.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that a 10% tariff would take effect from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
He also warned that the tariff rate would rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until an agreement is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, arguing that the matter concerns global security.
Trump said world peace is in danger, claimed China and Russia want Greenland, and argued Denmark can do nothing.
European leaders were quick to react to the latest threat with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenting Saturday that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” while French President Emmanuel Macron described described them as “unacceptable.”
“Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld,” Macron stated on social media platform X on Saturday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa issued a statement Saturday in which they said the EU “stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.”
It added that it was committed to further dialogue following talks between Denmark, Greenland and top U.S. officials last week, which ended without a diplomatic breakthrough.
The European Union emergency meeting will take place at 17:00 local time.
The tariffs were announced the same day thousands of people marched through Copenhagen in support of Greenland in the face of threats from Trump.
Demonstrators brandished Danish and Greenlandic flags and signs with slogans including “Make America Smart Again” and “Hands off” as they marched on Saturday afternoon.