Macron, Starmer push back over Greenland

A widening diplomatic standoff has erupted between the United States, European allies and Greenland following President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire the Arctic territory, including threats of escalating tariffs and suggestions the U.S. could act by force.

European leaders have strongly rejected the move, while thousands of Greenlanders have taken to the streets to oppose any form of annexation.

Trump announced tariffs on eight European NATO members — Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland — after those countries backed Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and sent small military contingents to the island. The tariffs are set to begin at 10 percent on February 1 and rise to 25 percent by June, remaining in place until what Trump described as a “complete and total purchase” of the self-governing Danish territory.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the move as “completely wrong,” arguing that penalising allies for collective NATO security undermines the alliance itself. He reaffirmed that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and said its future rests solely with its people and the Danish government. France’s President Emmanuel Macron echoed that stance, warning that Europe would not yield to “intimidation” and pledging a united and coordinated response if the tariffs proceed.

Macron said the deployment of European forces to Greenland was justified by the strategic importance of Arctic security, adding that threats or economic pressure would not alter Europe’s position on sovereignty. Other European leaders also voiced concern, with warnings that tariff pressure could trigger a damaging transatlantic spiral. EU officials have since convened emergency talks to coordinate a response.

The political dispute has coincided with large-scale protests in Greenland itself. Authorities estimate around 4,000 people — roughly one-fifth of Nuuk’s population — marched through the capital to the US consulate, carrying Greenlandic flags and signs reading “Greenland is not for sale.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined the demonstration, while similar rallies were held in Copenhagen in solidarity.

Protesters said Trump’s remarks about taking Greenland “the easy way or the hard way” had galvanised opposition across the island. Greenlandic and Danish leaders have repeatedly rejected any prospect of a sale, pointing to a 2008 referendum that confirmed Greenland’s autonomous status within the Danish realm and affirmed that decisions about its future belong to its people.

Trump has pursued the idea of acquiring Greenland since his first term, arguing the island is vital to US national security amid competition with Russia and China — claims both countries have denied. The latest escalation has intensified concerns about NATO unity, with alliance officials declining to comment publicly as tensions continue to rise.