World leaders are warning of rising tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on several European allies to pressure Denmark over Greenland.
The move sparked protests in Greenland and Canada. In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, thousands marched through snow chanting “Greenland is not for sale,” in what police called the city’s largest protest ever. In Iqaluit, Nunavut, dozens of people rallied in support, chanting in Inuktut that Greenland belongs to its people.
Trump said the U.S. would place a 10 per cent tariff next month on goods from eight European countries, including Denmark, Germany, France and the U.K. The tariff would rise to 25 per cent on June 1 if no agreement is reached for what Trump called the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
European leaders strongly rejected the threat. French President Emmanuel Macron said trade pressure is “unacceptable,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Greenland’s future must be decided by Greenlanders and Denmark. Former Canadian diplomat Bob Rae warned the move could seriously damage relations between the U.S. and its NATO allies.
Trump is expected to face questions about the issue later this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
