‘Europe Won’t Be Blackmailed’: Danish PM After Trump’s Tariff Threats Over Greenland

Last Updated:January 18, 2026, 20:17 IST

Denmark PM's comments came after a joint statement issued by the eight countries targeted by Trump’s proposed tariffs.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. (AFP photo)

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday said Europe will not be “blackmailed" following US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs over opposition to his plans involving Greenland.

Frederiksen described receiving “great support" from allies, saying she has been in “intensive dialogue" with leaders from the UK, France and Germany.

“I am pleased with the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed," she added.

She stressed that the dispute “reaches far beyond our own borders" and reiterated Denmark’s stance on Greenland, a self-governing territory under Danish control. “We want to co-operate, and it is not we who are seeking conflict," Frederiksen said.

Her comments came after a joint statement issued by the eight countries targeted by Trump’s proposed tariffs. Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden said the threats “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

The countries pledged to “stand united and coordinated in our response" and affirmed their commitment to “upholding our sovereignty."

Trump has made no secret of his desire to seize the vast Arctic island, an autonomous territory of Denmark, since returning to the White House for a second term, and a ramping up of this claim in recent weeks has deeply shaken transatlantic relations.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world ‘Europe Won’t Be Blackmailed’: Danish PM After Trump’s Tariff Threats Over Greenland

Read More