Denmark stands firm against Trump’s Greenland trade threats

Europe would have no choice but to retaliate if a trade war were to begin, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned, following US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on countries opposing his plans regarding Greenland.

“As Europe, if anyone starts a trade war against us – which I really cannot recommend – we must of course respond. We are compelled to do so. We have never sought any conflicts,” Frederiksen told Denmark’s parliament during a question-and-answer session, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Trump has threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff from February 1 on all goods sent to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The levy would rise to 25 percent on June 1 “until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” the US president added.

On January 18, Frederiksen emphasized that Europe will not be “blackmailed” into acquiescing to US demands. A joint statement from Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden condemned Trump’s threats, saying they “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” The statement added, “We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

In a related development, Trump posted an AI-generated map of the United States on his Truth Social platform, depicting Canada, Venezuela, and Greenland as part of US territories. The post included a photo of Trump meeting with European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with the map displayed in the background.

By Vafa Guliyeva