EU Ambassadors Hold Emergency Meeting Over Trump's Greenland Tariff Threat, Plan Retaliation

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 08:23 IST

EU ambassadors held emergency talks after Trump threatened tariffs on European allies unless Washington is allowed to purchase Greenland, sharply escalating transatlantic tensions.

People attend a protest against Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US (Photo: Reuters)

European Union ambassadors held emergency talks on Sunday after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on several European allies unless Washington is allowed to purchase Greenland, a move that EU diplomats said had sharply escalated tensions between the United States and Europe.

During the meeting, EU ambassadors reached a broad agreement on intensifying efforts to dissuade Trump from going ahead with the tariffs, while also preparing retaliatory measures should the duties be imposed, according to EU diplomats.

The tariff threat has been described by major European states as coercive and damaging to transatlantic relations.

Trump said on Saturday that the United States would impose a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, along with Britain and Norway, until the US is permitted to buy Greenland, a vast Arctic island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

EU leaders are set to take the discussions further at an emergency summit in Brussels later this week.

One option under consideration is a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros ($107.7 billion) of US imports, which could automatically come into force on February 6 after a six-month suspension.

Another option is the possible activation of the European Union’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, a mechanism that has never been used before and could restrict access to public tenders, investment, banking activity, or trade in services, including digital services, where the United States has a surplus.

EU diplomats said the tariff package appeared to enjoy broader support as an initial response, while views on activating the Anti-Coercion Instrument remained mixed among member states.

European Council President Antonio Costa said consultations with EU countries had shown a strong commitment to support Denmark and Greenland and a shared readiness to defend against any form of coercion.

He announced that an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders would be convened in the coming days to address the growing US-Europe tensions.

The dispute has also prompted diplomatic outreach beyond the EU.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Trump on Sunday after holding calls with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

“In all his calls, the Prime Minister reiterated his position on Greenland," the spokesperson said.

Starmer told Trump that security in the High North was a priority for all NATO allies to protect Euro-Atlantic interests, and said that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong."

Eight of the countries targeted by the proposed tariffs issued a joint statement on Sunday, warning that “tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

They said they were ready to engage in dialogue, but stressed that discussions must be based on principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The tariff threat unsettled global markets, with the euro and sterling weakening against the dollar and expectations of renewed volatility. It has also cast doubt over existing US trade arrangements with the European Union and Britain, which have already faced criticism for allowing the US to maintain broad tariffs while its partners remove import duties.

News world EU Ambassadors Hold Emergency Meeting Over Trump's Greenland Tariff Threat, Plan Retaliation

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