Trump Threatens 10% Tariffs on Eight EU Nations Over Greenland, EU Prepares Countermeasures
Updated (2 articles)
Trump Announces Immediate 10% Tariff Threat Linked to Greenland Deal From his West Palm Beach golf club, President Trump declared a 10% import levy on eight European countries starting 1 February, escalating to 25% on 1 June if the United States does not secure control of Greenland; the targeted states are France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland, and he framed the move as a national‑security bargaining chip[1][2].
EU Condemns Move as Economic Coercion and Mobilises Response Tools European leaders denounced the tariff threat as coercive, convening an emergency Brussels meeting and signalling willingness to deploy the Anti‑Coercion Instrument, suspension of the U.S.–EU trade framework, or other sanctions; the Commission stressed readiness to act should tariffs be imposed[1][2].
Trade Volume Highlights Potential Global Fallout Eurostat data show EU‑U.S. trade in goods and services reached roughly €1.7 trillion in 2024, underscoring how quickly a tariff dispute could disrupt transatlantic commerce; both Trump and EU officials were slated to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, though no bilateral meetings were scheduled[1].
National Leaders Propose Alternate Levers to De‑Escalate UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged avoidance of a tariff war and hinted at raising the 2% Digital Services Tax on U.S. tech firms as pressure, while German MEP Manfred Weber warned that ratifying the pending EU‑U.S. trade deal before the tariff deadline is unlikely[2].
Reporting Gaps on Tariff Timing and Layering The AP article states tariffs begin on 1 February, whereas the BBC notes they would take effect on 7 February if no deal is reached, and neither source confirms whether the new duties would stack on existing levies, reflecting minor inconsistencies in the timeline and scope of the proposed measures[1][2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
AP:Trump Threatens 10% Tariffs on Eight EU Nations Over Greenland, Triggering European Diplomacy: Details Trump’s tariff plan, EU’s emergency response, trade‑value context, and Davos backdrop, emphasizing the high‑stakes transatlantic dispute.
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[2]
BBC:Europe Weighs Response to Trump's Greenland Tariffs Threat: Focuses on the eight‑country list, the Anti‑Coercion Instrument’s procedural timeline, UK and German political reactions, and the framing of Greenland as a security issue.
Timeline
Mon Jan 18, 2026 – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urges both sides to avoid a tariff war, declaring “a tariff war is in nobody’s interests” and stressing the need to prevent escalation ([1]).
Tue Jan 19, 2026 (morning) – President Donald Trump announces from his West Palm Beach golf club that he will impose a 10 % tariff on imports from eight European nations starting 1 February, rising to 25 % on 1 June if no Greenland deal is reached; he frames the Greenland acquisition as a “national security priority” and calls the tariff “a lever to secure a deal” ([1][2]).
Tue Jan 19, 2026 (afternoon) – European leaders hold an emergency meeting in Brussels, condemning Trump’s move as economic coercion and signalling readiness to use EU counter‑measures; Commission spokesperson Olof Gill says the bloc “has tools ready” and will act with restraint ([2]).
Tue Jan 19, 2026 – The EU outlines three possible responses: imposing its own tariffs, suspending the U.S.–EU trade framework, or activating the Anti‑Coercion Instrument – a “trade bazooka” that could involve tariffs, import bans or banking limits after a lengthy investigation ([2]).
Tue Jan 19, 2026 – German MEP Manfred Weber states that the European Parliament “cannot approve” the deal at this stage, highlighting political resistance to a quick concession ([1]).
Tue Jan 19, 2026 – Eurostat data show EU‑U.S. trade in goods and services totals about €1.7 trillion in 2024, underscoring the massive economic stakes of the dispute ([2]).
Fri Feb 7, 2026 (planned) – If negotiations fail, the 10 % tariffs on billions of euros worth of U.S. goods automatically take effect, pressuring the eight targeted countries (France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland) ([1]).
Wed Jun 1, 2026 (planned) – The tariff rate escalates to 25 % unless a Greenland agreement is reached, representing the peak of Trump’s economic pressure strategy ([1]).