The European Union warns Trump: Tariffs threaten the world
In a new escalation of transatlantic tensions, the European Union warned on Saturday that the global economy was sliding into a "dangerous spiral," in its first official reaction to US President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on eight European countries. This unprecedented US move is seen as an attempt to pressure Denmark into negotiating the sale of Greenland to the United States.
A unified European stance against economic pressures
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa issued a strongly worded joint statement asserting that using tariffs as a political tool "will weaken historic transatlantic relations." The statement indicated that such measures not only threaten the European economy but also risk plunging the global trading system into a "dangerous downward spiral" with potentially uncontrollable consequences.
The two European officials stressed that "Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to defending its sovereignty," expressing the Union's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland in the face of these pressures.
Background to American ambitions in Greenland
The United States' desire to control Greenland is not a recent development; the self-governing island, a Danish monarchy, possesses immense geopolitical and strategic importance. Located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, Greenland is home to Thule Air Base, a cornerstone of the US missile early warning system.
Moreover, as the ice melts in the Arctic, the island's importance increases due to its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals that are vital to modern technological and military industries, making it a major arena of international competition, especially in the face of rising Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic region.
The potential repercussions of a trade war
Economic analysts believe that linking political and sovereign issues (such as land purchases) to tariffs represents a radical shift in international diplomacy. Imposing these tariffs would raise the cost of goods for consumers on both sides and further slow the already fragile global economic growth.
Historically, trade wars between major economic blocs have proven to produce no winners, instead disrupting supply chains and fueling inflation. The European Union fears this move could be the start of a series of reciprocal protectionist measures that could redraw the map of Western alliances.
The talks failed, and the insistence on dialogue persisted
This escalation came just days after Washington hosted officials from Denmark and the Greenlandic government, where the Trump administration sought an agreement to annex the island. However, the talks ended without result, prompting the US president to resort to tariffs. Despite the tense situation, the European statement emphasized that "dialogue remains essential," while committing to building upon existing diplomatic processes, provided that the national sovereignty of member states is respected.
