Europe Vows United Response to Trump's Greenland Tariff Threat

Rana Taha | Karl Sexton with AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa Published 01/19/2026Published January 19, 2026 Germany has vowed a "united" response from Europe after Donald Trump threatened tariffs on nations that oppose him over Greenland. NATO's Mark Rutte is set for talks with Danish and Greenland officials. Follow DW. https://p.dw.com/p/572LA Advertisement Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil says Europe won't be 'blackmailed' into ceding control of Greenland, vows 'united, clear response' EU leaders to meet on Thursday to discuss Trump's latest tariff threat over Greenland One option is a package of tariffs on €93 billion ($108 billion) of US imports France reportedly pushing EU to activate its 'Anti-Coercion Instrument,' known as the 'trade bazooka' Trump tells Norway's PM that he's no longer only thinking of 'peace' after he didn't win the Nobel prize Follow below for the latest headlines, analyses, backgrounders and reactions to the escalating row over the future of Greenland on Monday, January 19, 2026: Skip next section France, Germany seek coordinated response to tariff threat 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 France, Germany seek coordinated response to tariff threat German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he'd seek a unified line with France on potential responses to Trump's latest tariff threats. He said that even though France's government and president might "want to react a little more harshly than we do," both sides were trying to compromise on a shared position to take to the next EU leaders' summit. Ultimately, any response will be decided at the EU level rather than nationally because it is trade policy, but France and Germany have very considerable influence in Brussels as the two most populous countries in the bloc with the largest economies. Merz's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, of the center-left Social Democrats rather than Merz's Christian Democrats, struck a slightly tougher tone in a meeting with his French counterpart Roland Lescure in Berlin. "Germany and France are agreed that we will not allow ourself to be blackmailed," Klinbeil said. "We as Europeans must make it clear: the limit has been reached." Lescure meanwhile told French reporters that "we are ruling nothing out" while considering how to respond. Merz also said that on the most fundamental level, the EU was already united on the matter. "Among Europeans there is great unanimity that further tariff threats weaken transatlantic relations and do not strengthen them," Merz said. He also said he believed most people in America were also aware of the risks. Merz noted that in the past 12 months Trump had often repeatedly and loudly threatened large tariffs, only to partially or even completely roll them back before they even came into force. Merz: 'We don't want a trade dispute with the US' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/575ML Skip next section Here's what to know if you're only joining us now: 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Here's what to know if you're only joining us now: European nations are preparing countermeasures to Trump's 'blackmail,' Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said, in reference to the US president's tariff threats EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the bloc's response Germany's Chancellor Merz stressed Europe must stand firm in the face of Trump's threats over Greenland French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pushing to activate the bloc "Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI)," which allows the EU to impose measures such as restrictions on imports and exports, and retaliatory tariffs US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned European nations against imposing retaliatory tariffs on the US https://p.dw.com/p/575MA Skip next section Retaliatory EU tariffs would be 'very unwise,' US Treasury boss says 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Retaliatory EU tariffs would be 'very unwise,' US Treasury boss says The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has warned European nations not to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US. The EU is considering the tariffs in response to Donald Trump's threats to impose levies on eight countries that have opposed the US president's aim of taking control of Greenland. Speaking to reporters in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos on the first day of the World Economic Forum, Bessent said, "I think it would be very unwise" when asked about the possibility of EU tariffs. Bessent repeated Trump's stance that the US wants the semiautonomous, Danish-owned territory because it is a "strategic asset" that is fundamental to US national security. "We are not going to outsource our hemispheric security to anyone else," Bessent said. "I think everyone should ‌take ‌the president at his word," the treasury secretary added. https://p.dw.com/p/575CT Skip next section Europe must stand its ground over Greenland — Merz 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Europe must stand its ground over Greenland — Merz Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Europe must hold firm in the face of US President Donald Trump's threat to slap tariffs on nations that block him over Greenland. "It is clear that we want to stand our ground, as a country and as a continent," Merz said. "It is up to us, and in Germany we want to accept the realities, take responsibility and lead the way for Germany." Merz said European leaders broadly agreed that tariffs would only undermine transatlantic ties and lead to an escalating trade war. "We want to avoid any escalation in this dispute if at all possible," the chancellor said. Trump has said he will slap 10% tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, for opposing him and his desire to acquire Greenland. The German leader said that tariffs would primarily hurt American consumers, while admitting that Germany's and Europe's economies would also suffer. "Customs duties are usually paid by those in whose country the imports go," Merz said. "In this case, US consumers would pay the customs duties, but they would of course also damage our economy, the European economy and the German economy in particular, which is why we want to find a solution here." While he said the aim is to resolve transatlantic differences "together," he said Washington "knows we could also retaliate" with its own tariffs. "I don't want to, but if necessary, we will of course protect our European interests as well as our German national interests," he said. https://p.dw.com/p/574Ud Skip next section EU leaders to meet Thursday to discuss Trump tariff threat 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 EU leaders to meet Thursday to discuss Trump tariff threat European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the bloc's response to Donald Trump's tariff threat against European nations that oppose his desired acquisition of Greenland. Trump has threatened six EU members, as well as Norway and the United Kingdom, with tariffs that could rise to 25% for opposing his aim of buying the Arctic territory, which Denmark has controlled for about 300 years. In preparation for the emergency summit on Thursday, an EU spokesman told reporters that "intensive consultations" were ongoing among EU leaders. "The priority here is to engage, not escalate, and avoid the imposition of tariffs," EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said. "Sometimes the most responsible form of leadership is restraint," Gill added. He also said talks with US officials "at all levels" were ongoing. "We are trying to be calm, to be firm, to be serious, to be responsible, because that's what, in our view, leadership looks like," Gill said. But, he warned, the bloc is "prepared to respond" with the tools at its disposal, which include the never-before-used anti-coercion instrument, also known as the EU's "trade bazooka." https://p.dw.com/p/574Re Skip next section Trade war in 'no one's interest,' Starmer says 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Trade war in 'no one's interest,' Starmer says The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pushed back against US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on European nations over Greenland. At a press conference on Monday, Starmer reiterated that the UK stands by the people of Greenland and Denmark in the face of Washington's increasingly aggressive posturing over the Arctic territory. He also pointed out that Denmark is a "close ally" of both the UK and the US. "Alliances endure because they are built on respect and partnership, not pressure," Starmer said. "That is why I say the use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong. It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance," the UK leader said. "A trade war is in no one's interest," said Starmer. "The right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies," the British leader said. He added that he had spoken with Trump on Sunday, as well as European leaders and NATO chief Mark Rutte to "find a solution rooted in partnership, facts and mutual respect." https://p.dw.com/p/574JZ Skip next section What is the EU's 'trade bazooka'? 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 What is the EU's 'trade bazooka'? Roshni Majumdar Editor Donald Trump's threat of 10% tariffs against eight European nations — including six members of the EU — has triggered growing calls in the bloc to use its "anti-coercion" trade tool to counter the US president's "blackmail." Trump has said imports to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands will face tariffs of 10% from February 1 unless the US acquires Greenland. Trump also threatened to raise those tariffs to 25% by the summer if a deal hasn't been reached. The instrument was created in 2023 as a countermeasure to Chinese trade practices, after Lithuania accused Beijing of blocking its exports because Vilnius had allowed a Taiwanese diplomatic mission to be opened in Lithuania two years earlier. While it has never been used before, French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing to activate the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI), sources in his office said this weekend. What is the EU's so-called 'trade bazooka' and what does it do? Also known as the EU's 'nuclear' option, the instrument allows the European Commission to use a range of measures to respond to 'economic coercion' The bloc considered using the tool last year after Trump's 'big, beautiful tariffs' announcement before a trade deal was reached It allows the EU to impose measures such as restrictions on imports and exports and retaliatory tariffs It also allows the bloc to restrict intellectual property and investments and block US companies' access to public procurement contracts in Europe What does EU consider to be 'economic coercion'? According to the European Commission, 'economic coercion' is when a third country applies or threatens to apply 'measures affecting trade or investment' Economic coercion refers to practices that 'unduly interfere with the legitimate sovereign choices' of the EU and its 27 member states What retaliatory tariffs could the EU impose? Before the US and EU signed a trade deal last year, the bloc had been preparing a package of retaliatory tariffs worth €93 billion ($108 bln). The tariffs, which were suspended once the deal was signed, are again being considered as a countermeasure to Trump's threats over Greenland. What could the EU's retaliatory package include? 25% levies on American-made airplanes, meaning US aerospace giant Boeing would be badly affected by a potential trade dispute, according to the Financial Times Tariffs on cars, whisky and soybeans Machinery, medical devices, chemicals and plastics, and electrical equipment would also be affected Will the EU go 'all in' against Trump's Greenland threats? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/572mt Skip next section How could the EU respond to Trump's tariffs threat? 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 How could the EU respond to Trump's tariffs threat? Donald Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on eight European nations for opposing his bid to acquire Greenland. Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said Monday that Europe was weighing countermeasures in response. What can the EU do? The EU's first option could be to put the current trade deal with the US on hold, Klingbeil said The deal set a baseline 15% tariff on European exports to the US The agreement was criticized by many as being too favorable to Washington European leaders said it was needed to restore 'stability' and 'predictability' to transatlantic trade after months of trade tensions The EU's second option could be to impose tariffs on imports from the US A third option, Klingbeil said, could be to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) — better known as the EU's so-called 'trade bazooka' https://p.dw.com/p/572l5 Skip next section NATO chief to meet Greenland, Denmark ministers over US dispute 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 NATO chief to meet Greenland, Denmark ministers over US dispute NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet with ministers from Greenland and Denmark at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Rutte will hold talks with Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen over the heightened transatlantic tensions between Europe and the US over Donald Trump's desire to take over Greenland. Trump is insisting that the US will acquire the resource-rich Arctic territory "one way or the other," triggering a growing rift between the US and its allies in Europe. Greenland, as a territory of Denmark, is part of NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned this month that a takeover of Greenland by the US — which is also a NATO member — would spell the end of the alliance. "If the United States decides to attack another NATO country, then everything would stop — that includes NATO and therefore post-World War II security," Frederiksen said. Rutte: 'We have to work together' in the Arctic region To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/573KK Skip next section In data: Why Greenland is so important 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 In data: Why Greenland is so important Its entire population would fit in a large sports stadium but Greenland's current presence on the geopolitical stage is huge. Its landmass is also huge. Though the US, Russia, Canada and China are significantly larger, few other nations are, with Greenland about six times larger than Germany (roughly 2.17 million sq km vs. 357,000 sq km). Check out DW's full report with graphics on key data points about Greenland. https://p.dw.com/p/573Ey Skip next section Trump's Greenland tariffs: What you need to know 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Trump's Greenland tariffs: What you need to know Donald Trump's pursuit of Greenland now extends to new tariffs on countries considered NATO allies. But what would such tariffs mean for the European countries affected, how have they been received, and what happens now? Read DW's full report on Trump's new tariff threats over Greenland. https://p.dw.com/p/573E9 Skip next section WATCH: EU weighs response to Trump's Greenland threats 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 WATCH: EU weighs response to Trump's Greenland threats Thorkil Rothe Trump's threat of a 10% tariff over Greenland has rattled European leaders. Denmark and seven other European nations threatened by US tariffs issued a joint statement warning of what they called a "dangerous downward spiral." EU weighs response to Trump's Greenland threats To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/573Dh Skip next section Trump tells Norway PM that he feels no 'obligation to think purely of peace' 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Trump tells Norway PM that he feels no 'obligation to think purely of peace' US President Donald Trump has told Norway's Prime Minister Jonas ⁠Gahr ‍Store that he doesn't feel the need to "think purely of peace" after he failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year. In a letter to Store that was published on Monday, Trump said, "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace." The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is independent of the Norwegian government, Store highlighted in a statement, saying that had "clearly explained" the issue to Trump. In the letter, the US leader repeated his aim of seizing control of Greenland, which Trump claims is needed for US national security and to ward off alleged threats from China and Russia. "Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China," Trump said, adding that "the World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland." Officials from Denmark, Greenland and Europe have dismissed Trump's claims that Chinese and Russian warships pose an imminent threat in the Arctic. Trump made no secret last year of his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, making widely disputed claims that he had helped end more than eight wars. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was instead awarded the prize, although she then presented her prize to Trump. https://p.dw.com/p/5734Z Skip next section Why does Trump want Greenland? 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Why does Trump want Greenland? Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the US "needs" Greenland for its "national security," pointing to his unevidenced claims that the island is "covered with Chinese and Russian ships all over the place." European officials have rejected Trump's assertions, while trying to remind him that they share Washington's security concerns and that the US already has an agreement to deploy as many troops to Greenland as it wants. Why else is Trump so interested in Greenland? The second Trump administration is openly pursuing a modern take on the Monroe Doctrine, a 19th-century US foreign policy that viewed the Western hemisphere as being the US sphere of influence. Trump invoked the doctrine in the recent kidnapping and ouster by US forces of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Greenland, while being part of Denmark, is geographically part of the North American continent. As such, Trump views it as firmly in America's backyard. Greenland is also home to a vast and mostly untapped wealth of natural resources, which have only become accessible due to rising temperatures associated with climate change. Here's what we know about Greenland's natural resources: Significant oil and gas reserves Rare earth minerals which are vital in emerging technologies Rare earths are vital in the production of wind turbines, electric car batteries, semiconductors and military equipment like fighter jets and drones Greenland is believed to have 36 million tons of rare earths It could become the world's second-largest supplier behind China Beijing currently controls up to 60% of global rare earth mining and has restricted exports amid rising tensions Trump's Greenland ambitions puts its mineral riches in focus To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/572LG Skip next section Europe readying response to Trump's 'blackmail,' Germany says 01/19/2026January 19, 2026 Europe readying response to Trump's 'blackmail,' Germany says European nations are preparing countermeasures to Donald Trump's "blackmail," Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said Monday. Klingbeil said Europe would respond "with a united, clear" response to the US president's threat of tariffs against eight countries for their opposition to his aim of acquiring Greenland, a Danish-owned, semiautonomous Arctic territory. "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," Klingbeil, who is also Germany's finance minister, told a press conference in Berlin alongside French Economy Minister Roland Lescure. "We are now preparing countermeasures together with our European partners," Klingbeil added. The German minister's remarks come after Trump on Saturday vowed to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland unless the sale of Greenland is completed. The German vice chancellor also hinted that European nations were running out of patience over Trump's increasingly hostile behavior, saying the "limit has been reached." "We are constantly experiencing a new confrontation that President Trump is seeking," Klingbeil said. Lescure echoed Klingbeil's view that Trump's tariff threat was tantamount to "blackmail between allies of 250 years, blackmail between friends," calling it "obviously unacceptable." "We Europeans must remain united and coordinated in our response and, above all, be prepared to make full use of the instruments" of the European Union, Lescure said. "We are determined to defend our sovereignty." The French minister said G7 finance ministers would meet in the coming days. https://p.dw.com/p/572lF Show more posts