Macron slams Trump's new tarrifs over Greenland, warns of response

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that U.S. threats of imposing tariffs over France’s participation in military exercises in Greenland are unacceptable.

“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty,” he wrote on X, per Caliber.Az.

In mid-January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing push to acquire Greenland—a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark—by announcing 10% tariffs on imports from eight European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland.

These tariffs, effective February 1, 2026, would rise to 25% by June 1 unless a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland outright. Trump described the island as vital for U.S. national security, citing its strategic Arctic position, rare-earth minerals, and the need to counter Russian and Chinese influence (e.g., missile threats and resource competition). He framed it as Denmark "giving back" for U.S. protection under NATO.

By Khagan Isayev