The United States announced it will impose 10% tariffs on imports from eight European countries starting February 1, escalating tensions with key allies over Washington’s push to gain control of Greenland.

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said the tariffs could rise to 25% by June and would remain in place until an agreement is reached for what he described as the “full and complete purchase of Greenland” by the United States.

The countries targeted include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, all of which have opposed U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland and recently sent troops to the Arctic territory.

A growing transatlantic rift

Trump signaled he was open to “immediate negotiations” but accused European governments of jeopardizing U.S. interests. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, the Republican president has repeatedly used tariffs as a political tool, including sharp increases on imports from Brazil and India.

The announcement followed Denmark’s decision to boost its military presence in Greenland, a move echoed by several European allies citing Arctic security concerns. The White House has argued that control of Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and to prevent strategic gains by China or Russia.

European backlash and trade risks

European leaders reacted sharply, warning of serious consequences for transatlantic relations. Senior figures in the European Parliament backed freezing the ratification of a recently negotiated EU–U.S. trade agreement in response to the tariff threat.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said the measures risk a “dangerous downward spiral” and pledged a coordinated European response to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that divisions among Western allies only benefit global rivals, while French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariff threats “unacceptable.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the U.S. move as “completely wrong.”

EU ambassadors are expected to hold an extraordinary meeting to assess legal and political options, as questions remain over how Washington could implement country-specific tariffs against the European Union, which operates as a single trading bloc.

The dispute marks one of the most serious tests of U.S.–European relations in years, intertwining trade policy, Arctic security and global geopolitical competition.