Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 countries will convene for an emergency meeting after US President Donald Trump vowed a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
Cyprus, which holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said late yesterday that it had called the meeting for today. EU diplomats said it was set to start at 5pm (4pm Irish time).
In a post on Truth Social yesterday, Mr Trump said that from 1 February Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the US.
Mr Trump said those tariffs will then increase to 25% from 1 June.
"On 1 June 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," he said.
"These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.
"Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question," said Mr Trump.
It was not immediately clear what authority the US leader would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs of up to 25%.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned against Mr Trump's threat of tariffs which, she said, would "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral".
Ms von der Leyen said: "Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called Mr Trump's tariffs plan a "mistake".
Speaking to reporters she said: "I believe that imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake.
"I spoke to Donald Trump a few hours ago and told him what I think."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Mr Trump's tariffs threat, saying on X that his country would raise the issue directly with Washington.
"Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong," Mr Starmer said.
Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 17, 2026
We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat…
Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron said the threat over Greenland was unacceptable and that if they were confirmed Europe would respond in a coordinated manner.
"No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," he said in a post on X.
Yesterday's threat could derail tentative deals that Mr Trump struck last year with the European Union and Britain.
The deals included baseline levies of 15% on imports from Europe and 10% on most British goods.
"The biggest danger, it seems to me, is his decision to treat some EU countries different from others," said William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"I'm not surprised ... It may well convince the European Parliament that it is pointless to approve the trade agreement with the US, since Trump is already bypassing it."
Mr Trump floated the general idea of tariffs over Greenland on Friday, without citing a legal basis for doing so.
Tariffs have become his weapon of choice in seeking to compel American adversaries and allies alike to meet his demands.
He said this week he would put 25% tariffs on any country trading with Iran as that country suppressed anti-government protests, though there has been no official documentation from the White House of the policy on its website, nor information about the legal authority Mr Trump would use.
The US Supreme Court has heard arguments on the legality of Mr Trump's sweeping tariffs, and any decision by the top US judicial body would have major implications on the global economy and US presidential powers.
The encroaching presence of China and Russia makes Greenland vital to US security interests, Mr Trump has said.
Danish and other European officials have pointed out that Greenland is already covered by NATO's collective security pact.
Protesters in Denmark and Greenland demonstrated yesterday against Mr Trump's demands and called for the territory to be left to determine its own future.
More: Why Europe has drawn a line in the snow in Greenland
