Danish Prime Minister Warns Trump Over Greenland Threat: 'Europe Will Not Be Blackmailed'

Donald Trump has been warned “Europe will not be blackmailed” after he announced plans to impose tariffs on the UK and seven other countries opposed to his plans to take over Greenland.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said her country “is receiving great support” from across the continent in the wake of the US president’s threats.

Meanwhile, the countries being targeted by Trump warned in a joint-statement that his “tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.

Trump announced on Saturday that America will impose a 10% import tax imposed on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1.

That charge will rise to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by America.

Greenland has been a self-governing part of the kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.

But Trump has said that Russia and China will try to seize the Arctic island unless America takes it over.

Keir Starmer has said the US president’s threats are “completely wrong”, while culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK’s backing for Greenland and Denmark was “non-negotiable”.

In a statement on Sunday, Mette Frederiksen said: “I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed.

“At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.”

She added: “We want to co-operate, and it is not we who are seeking conflict.”

A joint-statement by the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland said they “are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest”.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the statement said.

“Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

“We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response.

“We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”