Ireland Calls Trump's Tariff Threat Over Greenland 'Completely Unacceptable'

ISTANBUL, Jan 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris and Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said on Sunday that United States President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against eight European nations for opposing Greenland’s acquisition are “completely unacceptable”.

“Ireland always favours agreement and dialogue. This threat of penalising European economies and businesses and linking that with Greenland is completely unacceptable, and I know Europe will stand united and coordinated in considering how to respond,” Harris wrote on X.

He said he will travel to Brussels on Monday to meet finance ministers from across the European Union.

McEntee also said on X that Trump’s decision is “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable”.

She said there can be no lasting peace and security if the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter are ignored and undermined by member states.

“Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law. This is a position that will not change. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is non-negotiable,” McEntee said.

She stressed that Denmark and Greenland have the “sovereign right” to arrange military exercises with their partners “on their own territory”.

“We are coordinating closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to this announcement. The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement,” McEntee added.

Trump said on Saturday that Washington will impose 10 per cent tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland from Feb 1, rising to 25 per cent in June unless there is a deal for the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.

European leaders have vowed a coordinated response.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU