President Donald Trump has effectively launched what critics are calling an “economic war” against America’s closest allies, announcing a sweeping 10% tariff on imports from eight European nations. The move, set to take effect on February 1, is a direct response to European opposition to the President’s renewed and aggressive bid to purchase Greenland.
The announcement has sent shockwaves across the Atlantic, targeting Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.In a social media post, the President warned that the levies would rise to 25% on June 1 unless a “Complete and Total purchase” of the Arctic territory is negotiated.
‘A Mistake’ and ‘A Threat’
The European response was swift and unusually unified.6 Speaking from Seoul, South Korea, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—often seen as a bridge between the White House and the EU—sharply criticized the move, calling the tariffs “a mistake” and urging a return to diplomatic dialogue to avoid a “dangerous downward spiral.”
In Helsinki, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo struck a firm tone, stating that “tariffs don’t serve anyone.”
“Finland proceeds from the premise that matters among allies are resolved through discussion and shared rules of the game, not by creating pressure,” Orpo said.9 “These measures would be harmful to both Europe and the United States.10 They are in no one’s interest.”
The Special Relationship Under Strain
The escalation has placed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a precarious position. After a year spent meticulously repairing the “Special Relationship,” Starmer now faces a public and punishing trade barrier. Downing Street has labeled the plan “completely wrong,” with insiders suggesting that the relationship between the two leaders has reached its most significant point of friction since Trump’s return to office.
Resistance on the Ground
The diplomatic row is being mirrored by rising civil unrest in the North Atlantic. Throughout the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Nuuk, Greenland, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
Braving sub-zero temperatures, demonstrators carried banners reading “Greenland is Not for Sale” and “Hands Off Our Island.” In Nuuk, the capital of the self-governing territory, nearly a quarter of the population marched to the U.S. consulate to demand respect for their sovereignty.
At a Glance: The Targeted Nations
The 10% tariff applies to all goods from the following countries starting February 1:
| Northern Europe | Western Europe |
| Denmark | France |
| Norway | Germany |
| Sweden | United Kingdom |
| Finland | Netherlands |
What’s Next? U.S. trade representatives have not yet commented on whether specific sectors (such as automotive or pharmaceuticals) will be granted exemptions. Would you like me to track the market’s reaction to these tariff announcements or look into the specific legal mechanisms the White House is using to justify them?
