Diplomatic tensions between the United States and Europe reached a new high on Saturday. US President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would impose import duties of ten percent on products from European countries. This measure is directly linked to the rejection by European governments of the American plan to buy the island of Greenland.
Trump justified this step by stating that European nations were blocking constructive discussion about the sale of the strategically important Arctic island. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen and Nuuk, thousands of demonstrators gathered under the motto 'Hands off Greenland' to protest against the ambitions of the USA. The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Greenlandic government re-emphasized that Greenland is not for sale and that the sovereignty of the territory is not up for debate.
Within the European Union, the US President's action is seen as an attempt to divide the member states. According to analysts, the threatened tariffs could severely strain transatlantic economic relations. Sectors particularly affected, such as the automotive industry and mechanical engineering, reacted with concern to the announcement from Washington. Brussels is currently examining possible countermeasures should the US administration actually implement the tariff plans. The international community is watching the escalation with worry, as Greenland plays a central role in Arctic strategy due to its raw material deposits and geopolitical location.
