EU warns of downward spiral after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland

European Union leaders on Saturday ​(January 17, 2026) warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” ‌over U.S. President Donald Trump’s ​vow to implement increasing tariffs on European allies until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland.

“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. ​Europe will remain united, coordinated, and ⁠committed to upholding its sovereignty,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council ​President Antonio ⁠Costa said in posts on X.

The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said tariffs would hurt prosperity ‌on both sides of ‌the Atlantic, while distracting the EU from its “core task” of ‍ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“China and Russia must be having ‍a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies,” Ms. Kallas said on X.

“Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. If Greenland’s security ⁠is at risk, we can address this inside NATO,” she added.

Ambassadors from ​the European Union’s 27 countries ⁠will convene on Sunday (January 18, 2026) for an emergency meeting to discuss their response to the tariff threat.

Mr. Trump said Saturday (January 17, 2026) that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face the tariff, Mr. Trump said in a social media post. The rate would climb to 25% on June 1 if no deal was in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, he added.

(With inputs from Reuters, AP)