By Edidiong Anii-Bassey
The European Union’s top leaders delivered a sharp rebuke Tuesday to President Donald Trump’s plan to impose new tariffs on European goods tied to the dispute over Greenland, warning that the move undermines trust between long-standing allies and risks triggering a major trade confrontation between Washington and Brussels.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the proposed tariffs as a fundamental mistake and questioned whether agreements with the United States can still be relied upon under the current administration.
Trump has announced that beginning in February, the United States will levy a 10 percent import tax on goods from eight European countries that have publicly supported Denmark amid Trump’s renewed push for U.S. control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Danish kingdom.
“The European Union and the United States reached a trade agreement last July,” von der Leyen said. “In politics, as in business, a deal is a deal. When friends shake hands, it must mean something.” She warned that escalating economic pressure between allies would only weaken the Western alliance and benefit strategic rivals.
Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe considers the United States not only an ally but a friend, adding that a retaliatory spiral would damage shared economic and security interests. She said any response from the EU would be “unflinching, united and proportional,” signaling that Brussels is prepared to act if Washington follows through on the tariffs.
Trump’s aggressive posture toward Greenland dominated discussions in Davos, where political and business leaders gathered amid growing unease about global trade stability.
The president has repeatedly argued that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns about potential Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic. Trump is scheduled to address the forum on Wednesday and said on social media that he had agreed to a meeting in Davos involving “the various parties,” though details remained unclear.
Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to downplay the tension, telling reporters that relations between the United States and Europe “have never been closer” and urging trading partners to “take a deep breath.” European leaders, however, appeared unconvinced by the attempt at reassurance.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking before lawmakers in Copenhagen, warned that the situation could deteriorate further. “The worst may still be ahead of us,” she said, stressing that Denmark has consistently sought cooperation rather than confrontation.
Greenland, while largely self-governing, remains part of the Danish realm, and Copenhagen has firmly rejected any suggestion of transferring sovereignty.
In Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen struck a defiant tone, insisting that international law and territorial integrity must be respected. He said those principles should unite democratic nations and expressed gratitude for the backing Greenland has received from European partners.
“International law is not a game,” Nielsen said. He described Greenland as a loyal ally of the United States and NATO for decades and said cooperation could be expanded within that framework, but only on the basis of mutual respect. Without that respect, he warned, it would be difficult to maintain a reliable partnership.
Trump’s rhetoric and tariff threats have prompted outrage across Europe and accelerated discussions in Brussels over possible countermeasures.
Among the options under consideration is the potential first-ever use of the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument, an enforcement mechanism informally dubbed the “trade bazooka.” The tool would allow the EU to target individuals, companies or institutions deemed to be exerting undue economic pressure on the bloc.
In addition to that mechanism, EU officials are weighing retaliatory tariffs and even the partial suspension of the U.S.-EU trade agreement, steps that would mark a dramatic escalation in trans-Atlantic trade tensions.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also speaking in Davos, warned that Trump’s additional tariffs could force Europe to activate the anti-coercion instrument against the United States for the first time.
He described the prospect as extraordinary and deeply troubling, arguing that allied nations should instead be focused on stabilizing global security and working toward peace in Ukraine.
“This is crazy,” Macron said, adding that the current geopolitical climate requires strong and decisive tools. He described the anti-coercion mechanism as a powerful instrument that Europe should not hesitate to use if pushed.
Trump, for his part, posted a private text message from Macron suggesting a possible meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven industrialized nations in Paris following the Davos forum. A French official familiar with the exchange confirmed that the message shared by Trump was authentic.
In outlining his latest tariff threat, Trump said the measures would be retaliation for what he described as the symbolic deployment of European troops to Greenland in recent days, while also suggesting the tariffs could serve as leverage in negotiations with Denmark.
The controversy drew criticism from beyond Europe as well. California Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking on the sidelines of the Davos meeting, condemned Europe’s response to Trump’s tariff threats as weak and disjointed. He urged European leaders to show unity and resolve in the face of U.S. pressure.
“It’s time to get serious,” Newsom said. “Stand tall, stand firm, and have a backbone.”
European governments are also examining security options in the Arctic. On Monday night, officials from several countries discussed the possibility of establishing a more permanent European military presence in Greenland to help guarantee regional security, a long-standing concern raised by Washington.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said European NATO members are currently assessing infrastructure, training and operational needs in the region following talks with counterparts from Denmark, Greenland and Norway.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected suggestions that Russia or China pose a threat to Greenland, while simultaneously questioning Denmark’s historical claim to the territory. Lavrov described Greenland as a “colonial gain” and argued that it is not, in principle, a natural part of Denmark.
The Greenland dispute has coincided with other signs of strain among U.S. allies. In London, the British government defended its decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after Trump attacked the move, calling it foolish and using it as another example to justify his desire to take control of Greenland.
The Chagos archipelago hosts a strategically important U.S. military base and had previously received support from Trump’s own administration.
Addressing British lawmakers, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to strike a calming note, saying he hoped to ease tensions as Trump’s rhetoric unsettles trans-Atlantic relations.
Johnson said the United States and the United Kingdom have a long history of resolving differences as close partners and expressed confidence that they would continue to do so despite the current turbulence.
As the dispute over Greenland intensifies, European leaders are bracing for a prolonged confrontation that could reshape trade, security cooperation and the broader relationship between the United States and its closest allies.