Europe warns Trump of “dangerous downward spiral” and threatens tariff retaliation | BBC News

European leaders have united in condemning President Trump’s threat of new tariffs against allies who oppose his plan to annexe Greenland.

A joint statement of European leaders said: “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”. The statement, signed by the leaders of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland said: “We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the US president in a phone call that he was wrong to make such a threat against NATO allies.

The EU made clear it could impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods or even consider economic sanctions against the United States if the US tariffs were imposed. The head of the European Council announced an emergency summit and said the EU showed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion”.

Europe’s stance could place it on a collision course with the US. Trump has said he will place sanctions on eight European nations, including the UK, that have deployed troops to Greenland in response to US threats over its future.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Nick Beake, Joe Pike, Faisal Islam and Katya Adler.

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