US Tariff Threats ‘Undermine Transatlantic Relations’: European Nations

ISTANBUL, Jan 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on Sunday denouncing recent US tariff threats over Greenland and vowing commitment to Arctic security while upholding their sovereignty, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty,” the statement said.

It reiterated the eight nations’ commitment to strengthening Arctic security “as a shared transatlantic interest”.

“The pre-coordinated Danish exercise ‘Arctic Endurance’, conducted with allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone,” the statement underscored.

The statement also voiced “full solidarity” with Denmark and Greenland.

“Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind,” it added.

US President Donald 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