Europe Leaders Rebuke U.S. Tariff Threat as Coercive

(MENAFN) European leaders delivered a sharp rebuke Sunday to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Greenland, denouncing the move as coercive and pledging a unified defense of sovereignty.

The eight nations directly targeted — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom — issued a rare joint declaration expressing "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland. The statement warned that Washington’s plan risked a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic relations and vowed a "united and coordinated" response.

European Council President Antonio Costa underscored the bloc’s resolve, writing on X that the European Union is "ready to defend itself against any form of coercion."

National capitals echoed the alarm. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel branded the tariffs an act of "blackmail," urging the U.S. to withdraw the "ridiculous proposal" before implementation. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil declared Berlin "must not allow itself to be intimidated," adding that "a line has been crossed."

The coordinated pushback marks one of the strongest collective responses from Europe in recent years, signaling a deepening rift with Washington over Greenland and setting the stage for escalating tensions across the Atlantic.

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