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Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom have reacted to Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs (Photo: REUTERS / Lucas Jackson)
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of additional tariffs, according to a statement posted on the German government’s website on Jan. 18.
The countries said threats to impose tariffs “undermine transatlantic relations and create the risk of a dangerous spiral of escalation.” In particular, they expressed solidarity with and support for Denmark and the people of Greenland.
“We are fully in solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Based on the process launched last week, we are ready for dialogue grounded in the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which we firmly uphold,” the statement said.
The countries also stressed that, as NATO members, they seek to strengthen security in the Arctic, and that military exercises conducted with allies “correspond to this necessity” and “pose no threat to anyone.”
On Jan. 15, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would take part in joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland under the name Arctic Endurance. Macron specified that the initiative came from Denmark itself.
Estonia also said it would take part in the military exercises.
On Jan. 14, Danish broadcaster DR reported that Denmark had deployed military equipment and an advance detachment to Greenland to prepare for the arrival of larger army forces and other units.
The same day, several countries said they were sending troops to Greenland, including Sweden, France, Germany and Norway.
On Jan. 18, tabloid Bild reported that an intelligence group of 15 German soldiers led by Rear Adm. Stefan Pauli urgently and without explanation left Greenland.
On Jan. 17, U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs on goods and products from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland over those countries’ support for Denmark’s territorial integrity and their deployment of troops to Greenland.
He said the United States had “subsidized Denmark and other European countries for many years without collecting tariffs or other payments.” Denmark, he added, should “repay” the United States by handing over control of Greenland.
After that, European Council President Antonio Costa said a joint EU response to the U.S. president’s statement was now being coordinated.
U.S. interest in Greenland
U.S. President Donald Trump first said during his initial term (2017–2021) that the United States was ready to buy Greenland from Denmark, even floating a financial offer of $600 million a year for lifetime use of the island’s territory.
Statements about a possible annexation of Greenland also came from the Trump administration in 2025. They intensified in January this year after an operation to remove Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro from power.
The wife of Trump homeland security adviser Stephen Miller posted a map on X showing Greenland colored like the U.S. flag, sparking outrage from Denmark’s ambassador. Miller later told CNN that the United States is a “superpower” and would act accordingly.
On Jan. 4, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Trump to “stop the threats” to seize Greenland, stressing that the United States has no right to annex any of the three parts of the Kingdom of Denmark — Denmark proper, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
On Jan. 13, it was reported that a bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress on annexing Greenland and granting it U.S. statehood. The bill was submitted by Republican Rep. Randy Fine. It envisions that Trump could begin negotiations with Denmark to purchase the island and later propose amendments to federal law to admit Greenland as a state.
At the same time, amid Trump’s statements, Greenland appealed to the British government for support and called for dialogue to resolve issues without the use of force.
On Jan. 16, it was reported that U.S. leadership plans to hold talks with Denmark and the Greenlandic government every two to three weeks, creating a working group to continue technical discussions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the first meeting in Washington on Jan. 14 was “good” and “productive.”
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