Video: EU powers unite against Trump tariff threats over Greenland push
Abdullateef Fowewe
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has vowed a firm European response to United States President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of 10% tariffs on imports from several EU nations, framing them as economic blackmail tied to stalled talks over acquiring Greenland.
@dailyeconomy8 Video: EU powers unite against Trump tariff threats over Greenland push German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has vowed a firm European response to United States President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of 10% tariffs on imports from several EU nations, framing them as economic blackmail tied to stalled talks over acquiring Greenland. Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside French counterparts, Klingbeil stressed unbreakable solidarity between Germany and France. “Germany and France are united: we will not be blackmailed,” he said, underscoring preparations for collective EU action. Trump’s aggressive push to buy Greenland—first proposed in 2019 for its strategic Arctic location and vast mineral resources—intensified after his 2024 election victory. He has warned of tariffs targeting Denmark (Greenland’s overseer), Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, and others opposing the sale, potentially upending $1.3 trillion in annual transatlantic trade. Klingbeil outlined three key countermeasures under consideration: • Scrapping the existing EU-U.S. customs agreement, slated for European Parliament approval this week. • Reactivating suspended EU tariffs on U.S. imports, set to expire February 8 unless invoked. • Deploying “legally defined European set of instruments” for sensitive retaliatory measures against economic coercion. “There will be a clear, united response from Europe, and we are now preparing joint countermeasures with our European partners,” Klingbeil added, directly addressing Trump’s persistent threats. “We are preparing joint countermeasures because President Trump maintains his threats.”
Video: EU powers unite against Trump tariff threats over Greenland push
Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside French counterparts, Klingbeil stressed unbreakable solidarity between Germany and France.
“Germany and France are united: we will not be blackmailed,” he said, underscoring preparations for collective EU action.
Trump’s aggressive push to buy Greenland—first proposed in 2019 for its strategic Arctic location and vast mineral resources—intensified after his 2024 election victory.
He has warned of tariffs targeting Denmark (Greenland’s overseer), Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, and others opposing the sale, potentially upending $1.3 trillion in annual transatlantic trade.
Klingbeil outlined three key countermeasures under consideration:
• Scrapping the existing EU-U.S. customs agreement, slated for European Parliament approval this week.
• Reactivating suspended EU tariffs on U.S. imports, set to expire February 8 unless invoked.
• Deploying “legally defined European set of instruments” for sensitive retaliatory measures against economic coercion.
“There will be a clear, united response from Europe, and we are now preparing joint countermeasures with our European partners,” Klingbeil added, directly addressing Trump’s persistent threats.
“We are preparing joint countermeasures because President Trump maintains his threats.”
The remarks signal escalating transatlantic tensions, with EU leaders signaling readiness to protect strategic interests amid Trump’s “America First” agenda.
