By SCM REPORTER
BRUSSELS erupted in fury last night as European leaders vowed to defy Donald Trump’s “coercive” demands to buy Greenland.
In a dramatic late-night statement, European Council President António Costa hit back at the White House, accusing the US President of using trade “blackmail” to snatch the Arctic territory from Denmark.
The row—the biggest crisis in the NATO alliance’s history—spiralled out of control after Trump threatened a “punishing” regime of import taxes on European goods.
The US President has ordered a 10% tariff on all goods from eight nations—including the UK, France, Germany, and Denmark—starting February 1.
He warned the tax will rocket to 25% by June unless a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase” of the world’s largest island.
But President Costa issued a defiant “not for sale” message, declaring the EU is ready to “defend ourselves against any form of coercion.”
”Unity on the principles of international law, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty is non-negotiable,” Costa said, following emergency consultations with member states.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and are incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement.”
Troops on the Ice
The war of words follows a tense military stand-off.
British, French, and German troops have joined Danish forces in Greenland as part of “Operation Arctic Endurance”—a move intended to signal to Washington that the territory is protected by NATO.
Trump, however, slammed the move as a “very dangerous game” and claimed the US has been “subsidising” Europe for centuries.
In a post on Truth Social, he insisted: “After centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back—World Peace is at stake!”
The EU has now called an extraordinary “crisis summit” in the coming days to coordinate a retaliatory strike against US goods.
While the UK is no longer in the EU, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has branded the tariff threat “completely wrong,” as British firms face being caught in the crossfire of the Arctic power struggle.
As thousands of Greenlanders took to the streets of Nuuk chanting “Our Land, Not Yours,” the message from Brussels was clear: Europe will not be bullied into trading away its territory.
The Battle for the Arctic
The Island: Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. It is vital for its vast mineral wealth (including rare earth metals) and its strategic position for monitoring Russian and Chinese activity in the High North.
The Dispute: President Trump has revived his 2019 ambition to purchase the island, claiming it is a “national security necessity” for the US.
Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated the island is “not for sale.”
The Escalation: In January 2026, the US began treating Greenland’s status as a trade issue.
The 10% tariff (rising to 25%) targets eight specific “hostile” allies: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.
The Stakes: EU leaders are considering “Article 42.7” (the mutual defence clause) as a possible response if the US moves from economic pressure to military “annexation” threats.
