According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), U.S. President Trump vowed on local time 19 to “100 percent” carry out his previous threat of imposing tariffs on eight European countries that oppose U.S. claims to take over Greenland.
Trump Profile Source: Foreign Media
Previously, Trump said that from February 1, he would impose a 10 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariff rate would be raised to 25 percent from June 1, until an agreement was reached on “complete and complete purchase of Greenland.”
When asked by a NBC reporter whether he would actually carry out these tariff threats, Trump replied, “I would, 100% I would.”
Trump further said, “Europe should focus on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, because frankly, you all see what this war has brought them… This war is what Europe should focus on, not Greenland.”
The report mentioned that Denmark had issued a warning that U.S. military actions in Greenland would lead to the end of NATO. Some NATO member states sent small numbers of soldiers to Greenland last week, which was seen as a symbolic measure in support of Greenland. Trump then announced tariffs on eight NATO allies.
Faced with Trump’s tariff threats, the eight European countries issued a joint statement on the 18th saying that the threat of tariff increases disrupting transatlantic relations risks triggering a dangerous vicious cycle, and that the eight countries will “solidify and coordinate” to respond.