No intimidation will affect us, neither regarding Ukraine nor Greenland, – Europe responded to Trump.

European leaders publicly rejected the attempt at pressure from the United States following Donald Trump’s statement on the introduction of new tariffs due to the refusal to support the idea of purchasing Greenland. The key formula of the response was unequivocal: no intimidation will affect Europe’s position — neither regarding Ukraine nor Greenland.

The occasion was Donald Trump’s order to introduce 10-percent tariffs on imports from Denmark and seven other European countries. The list included Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. If an agreement on the “full and final purchase of Greenland” is not reached by June 1, the White House promised to raise tariffs to 25%.

In a publication on January 17, 2025, on Truth Social, Trump stated that “China and Russia want Greenland,” and Denmark, according to him, “can do nothing about it.” He also emphasized that only the United States “under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump” is capable of effectively acting in this situation. The formulations were perceived in Europe as direct political pressure disguised as trade policy.

The reaction from Paris was the harshest. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that tariff threats are unacceptable and inappropriate, emphasizing:

“No intimidation and threats will affect us — neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world.”
According to him, if the sanctions are confirmed, Europe will respond “unanimously and in a coordinated manner.”

Berlin reacted more restrainedly, but without illusions. A representative of the German government stated that Germany “took note” of Washington’s statements and will decide on response measures “at an appropriate time.” Meanwhile, the German automotive industry association VDA warned: additional tariffs will have a high cost for the European industry and will hit supply chains in an already challenging period.

Copenhagen called the US decision unexpected. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasized that the discussed strengthening of military presence in Greenland is aimed at enhancing security in the Arctic, not revising sovereignty. On the same day, massive protests took place in the Danish capital: tens of thousands of people took to the streets with slogans “Greenland is not for sale” and “Make America Go Away.”

London focused on allied logic. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future should be decided by the Greenlanders and Danes themselves. He also noted that security in the Arctic is a matter for all NATO, and applying tariffs to allies for contributing to collective security is a mistaken step.

The economic context makes the situation even more acute. The new tariffs are announced against the backdrop of internal pressure in the US due to rising living costs. Economists warn: tariffs could lead to price increases for a wide range of goods — from medicines to aviation components. Germany, as one of the key suppliers of industrial and pharmaceutical products to the US, finds itself in the direct line of fire.

An additional intrigue is created by the legal aspect. Trump relies on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, but the US Supreme Court is soon to determine whether its application against individual countries in such a form is permissible. This decision could either legitimize the tariff escalation or turn it into a political gesture without a stable legal basis.

Against this backdrop, Brussels is accelerating the diversification of foreign trade. The signing of a free trade agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR countries has become a signal: Europe is preparing to build economic ties bypassing American pressure. Ursula von der Leyen called the document a choice of “fair trade instead of tariffs” and long-term partnership.

The story with Greenland is increasingly looking less like an eccentric initiative and more like a test of Europe’s ability to respond to power bargaining. So far, European capitals are demonstrating rare unity in their formulations. The question is whether the words that “no intimidation will affect” will turn into coordinated actions — or whether the tariff lever will become the new norm of transatlantic relations, closely watched in Israel, the EU, and the US on the pages of NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency.