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Swedish Prime Minister Calls U.S. Tariff Threats "Blackmail"
(MENAFN) Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has condemned Washington's tariff threats as extortion targeting his nation and allied countries in an escalating dispute over Greenland's future.
The sharp rebuke follows the imposition of import duties on eight European NATO members by the United States after they opposed US President Donald Trump's ambitions to acquire the Danish autonomous Arctic territory.
On Friday, Trump announced a 10% tariff on US imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. He indicated the levy would escalate to 25% in June and persist until a "complete and total purchase" of the island is secured.
"We will not be blackmailed," Kristersson declared Saturday in an X post, noting that Copenhagen is coordinating with other EU nations, Norway, and the UK to formulate a unified response.
"Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors," he stated, emphasizing the crisis "affects many more countries than those currently being singled out."
The NATO alliance members targeted by the tariffs recently deployed small military contingents to Greenland alongside Denmark, symbolically reinforcing the island's sovereignty. Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly stated the territory is not for sale, referencing a 2008 referendum that affirmed continued autonomy under Danish governance.
Trump's directive has sparked fierce backlash across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron branded the tariff threats unacceptable and vowed a "united and coordinated" countermeasure. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned the threats would damage transatlantic relations and reaffirmed EU solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the tariffs as "completely wrong," asserting they undermine NATO and promising direct negotiations with Washington.
The US president has intensified his campaign to bring Greenland under American control—an objective he has championed since his first term. Trump contends the acquisition is vital for US national security to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic, a claim both Beijing and Moscow have dismissed.
The sharp rebuke follows the imposition of import duties on eight European NATO members by the United States after they opposed US President Donald Trump's ambitions to acquire the Danish autonomous Arctic territory.
On Friday, Trump announced a 10% tariff on US imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1. He indicated the levy would escalate to 25% in June and persist until a "complete and total purchase" of the island is secured.
"We will not be blackmailed," Kristersson declared Saturday in an X post, noting that Copenhagen is coordinating with other EU nations, Norway, and the UK to formulate a unified response.
"Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors," he stated, emphasizing the crisis "affects many more countries than those currently being singled out."
The NATO alliance members targeted by the tariffs recently deployed small military contingents to Greenland alongside Denmark, symbolically reinforcing the island's sovereignty. Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly stated the territory is not for sale, referencing a 2008 referendum that affirmed continued autonomy under Danish governance.
Trump's directive has sparked fierce backlash across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron branded the tariff threats unacceptable and vowed a "united and coordinated" countermeasure. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned the threats would damage transatlantic relations and reaffirmed EU solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the tariffs as "completely wrong," asserting they undermine NATO and promising direct negotiations with Washington.
The US president has intensified his campaign to bring Greenland under American control—an objective he has championed since his first term. Trump contends the acquisition is vital for US national security to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic, a claim both Beijing and Moscow have dismissed.
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