Copenhagen, Denmark, 19 January (H.S.): United States President Donald Trump precipitated a transatlantic crisis on Saturday(January 17, 2026), by announcing 10% tariffs on imports from eight NATO allies—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—set to commence February 1, 2026, escalating to 25% by June 1 unless Denmark relinquishes control of Greenland.

Frederiksen Leads Defiant European Front

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuked the ultimatum on Sunday(January 18, 2026), asserting via Facebook and press conference that Europe won't be blackmailed, while praising continental solidarity in safeguarding sovereignty over the resource-rich Arctic territory.

A unified statement from the affected nations decried the tariffs as eroding transatlantic bonds and courting a dangerous downward spiral, pledging NATO-aligned Arctic security without compromising territorial integrity.

Frederiksen stressed dialogue grounded in mutual respect, echoing Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide's insistence that sovereignty forms the non-negotiable bedrock of international cooperation.

Allied Leaders Coordinate Reprisals Amid Protests

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, following January 18 calls with Frederiksen, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, labeled the tariffs wrong, prioritizing collective NATO defense of Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron prepared to trigger the EU's anti-coercion instrument, as protests—Hands off Greenland—erupted in Nuuk and Copenhagen on January 17, reflecting 85% local opposition per a January 2025 poll and mere 17% US support via Reuters/Ipsos.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the strategy on NBC's Meet the Press, claiming Greenland's defense mandates American stewardship for hemispheric security, missile surveillance, and Arctic dominance against Russia and China.

Davos Showdown Looms Over Global Markets

Trump's Truth Social missive framed the standoff as existential—a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security and Survival of our Planet—building on a 1951 US-Denmark defense pact he deems insufficient. The dispute shadows the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump addresses cooperation Wednesday amid Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's NATO-focused Arctic buildup pledges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar