Tensions are escalating between the United States and several European nations as President Donald Trump threatens to impose significant tariffs on countries opposing his controversial plans to acquire Greenland. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard voiced her concerns during a broadcast interview, emphasizing that such an escalation in tariffs could backfire on the U.S. economy, particularly impacting American farmers and industrialists.
Trump’s proposed tariffs, set to take effect on February 1, would impose a 10-percent levy on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—countries that largely form part of the European Union, except for the UK and Norway. The U.S. President has indicated that this tariff could rise to 25 percent by June 1 unless a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland,” which he argues is essential for U.S. national security.
In response to the growing tensions, an extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors has been convened in Brussels to discuss the situation. Minister Genevard highlighted the EU’s economic power and the potential consequences of retaliatory measures. She cautioned that while it is essential to respond carefully to this escalation, any adverse effects on the U.S. economy could be severe.
Genevard further expressed that any attempt by the U.S. to take control of Greenland would be “unacceptable,” underscoring that Europe is unlikely to acquiesce to U.S. ambitions without pushback. Her statements reflect a broader sentiment within Europe that the sovereignty of nations must be respected and that aggressive trade tactics could lead to detrimental outcomes for all parties involved.
