At a Glance
- EU ambassadors convene Sunday after Trump threatens tariffs on eight members
- Trump demands Greenland purchase deal or tariffs stay
- European Parliament leaders warn move emboldens Russia and China
- Why it matters: Trade war with NATO allies could raise prices for American families
The European Union has called an emergency meeting of its ambassadors in Brussels for Sunday after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on eight EU countries until the United States can purchase Greenland, according to News Of Philadelphia.
EU Leaders Slam Tariff Threat
Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, condemned the measures on X: “The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic. They risk the opposite, emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life.”
She emphasized: “Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected. No threat of tariffs can or will change that fact.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, wrote on X that China and Russia “must be having a field day” with Trump’s announcement. “They are the only ones who stand to gain from divisions among Allies.”
Kallas added: “If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.”
Trade Deal in Jeopardy
European political leaders signaled they may halt final approval of the EU-U.S. trade deal reached last summer. The agreement remains partially implemented but requires European Parliament passage to become official.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, wrote on X: “New US-Tariffs for several nations are unbelievable. This is no way to treat partners. A new line has been crossed. Unacceptable.”
Lange stated Trump is “using trade as an instrument of political coercion” and called for suspending the trade deal’s implementation “until US ends its threats.”
Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, said on X that while his party supports an EU-U.S. trade deal, approval “is not possible at this stage” following Trump’s threats. “The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold,” he wrote.
European Parliament member Siegfried Muresan justified postponing the trade deal on X: “STABILITY would have been the only gain from last year’s trade deal between the US and the European Union. Today’s announcement by President Trump to eventually impose new tariffs on several EU member states takes away that stability.”
Dutch Response
David van Weel, Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, said his country had “taken note” of Trump’s tariff announcements. “Military efforts related to exercises in Greenland are intended to contribute to security in the Arctic region. The Netherlands is in close contact with the @EU_Commission and partners on our response,” he wrote.
Bipartisan U.S. Opposition
A bipartisan congressional delegation met Danish and Greenland leaders in Copenhagen Friday to reassure them of congressional support despite Trump’s threats.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, issued a statement from Copenhagen: “At a time when many Americans are already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would raise prices for both families and businesses. We urge the administration to turn off the threats and turn on diplomacy.”
They emphasized: “The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway are America’s closest allies. They are our NATO allies who have fought beside us, died alongside us and have made America safer and more prosperous.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Saturday that Democrats will introduce legislation to block Trump’s tariffs on European countries “before they do further damage to the American economy and our allies in Europe.”
Schumer wrote: “Donald Trump’s foolhardy tariffs have already driven up prices and damaged our economy and now he is only making things worse. It is incredible that he wants to double down on the stupidity by imposing tariffs on our closest allies for his quixotic quest to takeover Greenland.”
The Senate has previously passed similar resolutions to rein in Trump’s tariffs with bipartisan support, requiring only 51 votes. However, any such measure is unlikely to be taken up in the House.
Key Takeaways
- Trump links tariffs on eight EU countries to Greenland purchase demand
- EU leaders warn the move benefits Russia and China
- European Parliament may suspend U.S. trade deal implementation
- Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers oppose tariffs on NATO allies
- Democrats plan legislation to block the tariffs
