U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Saturday the imposition of 10% tariffs on 8 European countries, including Britain, Germany and France. The stakes are expected to emergence to 25 percent in June. Trump justifies the decision by military exercises of NATO allies in Greenland and the refusal of concessions to acquisition Denmark's autonomous territory by the United States.
The decision concerns Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom. The duties will enter into force on 1 February and will stay until the US enters into an agreement on the acquisition of Greenland. These countries sent soldiers to the Danish Arctic Endurance exercise on the island.
Trump wrote on the fact Social platform that these countries "went to Greenland for unknown reasons", creating "a very dangerous situation for the safety, protection and endurance of our planet".
Europe's sharp response
In a statement, UK Prime Minister Starmer powerfully criticized Washington's decision. "The imposition of duties on allies for ensuring common safety for NATO partners is completely wrong," he stated. He stressed that Greenland's future should be in the hands of the island itself and Denmark.
Starmer highlighted the strategical importance of the Arctic. "We have clearly pointed out that the safety of the Arctic depends on the full of NATO and that all allies must do more together to respond to the threat from Russia in various parts of the Arctic," he noted. Britain announced that it would search explanations straight from the US administration.
The national Government of Germany reported that it "received the statements of the president of the United States" and "remains in close consultation with its European partners". Berlin announced, "We will decide on appropriate responses in due time."
United Front
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson replied powerfully on social media: "We will not be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland".
In a statement, French president Emmanuel Macron described threats as unacceptable. "The threats to the introduction of duties are unacceptable and have no justification in this context. Europeans will respond unitedly and coordinatedly if they are confirmed. We will be able to guarantee that European sovereignty is respected," he said.
Note: This article was created utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI).
