Donald Trump has sparked backlash after saying he will impose tariffs on eight European countries – including the UK – until the US is allowed to purchase Greenland.

The US president said 10% tariffs would come into effect on 1 February for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland.

The rate would then climb to 25% on 1 June if no deal was in place for “the complete and total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, Mr Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.

Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland – as it happened

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Pics: Reuters

The US president seems to have acted on his previous warning that he would impose tariffs on countries that do not go along with his plan to acquire the Danish territory.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Trump was “completely wrong” for applying tariffs on allies who are “pursuing the collective security of NATO allies”, adding that he will be “pursuing” this with the US administration.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the threat of tariffs “unacceptable” and said if implemented Europe would respond in a coordinated manner.

The European Union called an emergency meeting of ambassadors from the 27-member countries for Sunday following Mr Trump’s announcement.


‘Extraordinary’ move by Trump over Greenland

The US president indicated the tariffs were a retaliation after European countries sent military personnel to Greenland in a show of support for the territory.

He wrote: “These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.”

So far France has sent as many as 15 personnel to the Danish territory, Germany has sent 13 and the UK has sent one military officer.

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‘Hands off’ Greenland protests

The tariffs were announced the same day thousands of people marched through Copenhagen in support of Greenland in the face of threats from Mr Trump.

Demonstrators brandished Danish and Greenlandic flags and signs with slogans including “Make America Smart Again” and “Hands off” as they marched on Saturday afternoon.

Other rallies were planned in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital, and elsewhere in the Danish kingdom.

Marches in Copenhagen for the 'Hands Off Greenland' protest. Pic: Reuters.
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Marches in Copenhagen for the ‘Hands Off Greenland’ protest. Pic: Reuters.

“This is important for the whole world,” Danish protester Elise Riechie said, as she held Danish and Greenlandic flags.

“There are many small countries. None of them are for sale.”

The protests come as a bipartisan US congressional delegation sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland of their support.

Protesters gathered in City Hall Square Copenhagen, Denmark. Pic: Reuters.
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Protesters gathered in City Hall Square Copenhagen, Denmark. Pic: Reuters.

Pic: Reuters.
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Pic: Reuters.

Delegation leader senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said he wanted to de-escalate the situation and the US had respect for Denmark and NATO “for all we’ve done together”.

“I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people,” Mr Coons said in Copenhagen.

Mr Trump has said Russia and China also have plans to acquire Greenland. Pic: Reuters.
Image:
Mr Trump has said Russia and China also have plans to acquire Greenland. Pic: Reuters.

Mr Trump has repeatedly argued the US needs to take over Greenland because Russia and China had their own designs on the self-governing territory.

The president’s comments stood in stark contrast to Mr Coons’s remarks on Saturday.

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Democratic senator Chris Coons said he had respect for Denmark and NATO. Pic: AP
Image:
Democratic senator Chris Coons said he had respect for Denmark and NATO. Pic: AP

“There are no current security threats to Greenland,” Mr Coons said.

The White House has not ruled out taking Greenland – which has vast untapped reserves of critical minerals – by force.

“There is almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark,” Mr Coons said. “If we do things that cause Danes to question whether we can be counted on as a NATO ally, why would any other country seek to be our ally or believe in our representations?”

Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio in Washington.

That meeting resulted in an agreement to set up a working group, despite Denmark and the White House offering diverging views on its purpose.

Denmark said this week it was increasing its military presence in Greenland in co-operation with allies.