In the face of tariff threats issued by U.S. President Trump, eight European countries issued a joint statement on the 18th, pointing out that threats to impose additional tariffs undermine transatlantic relations and pose risks of triggering a dangerous vicious cycle. The eight countries will "unite and coordinate" to respond.
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom jointly signed the statement.
The statement said, "We firmly stand with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland... We are willing to engage in dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity." The eight countries will continue to respond to U.S. tariff threats in a "united and coordinated" manner, declaring, "We are firmly committed to defending our own sovereignty."
The statement also addressed Trump’s criticism of the 'Arctic Endurance' military exercise, explaining that the exercise was coordinated in advance by Denmark and its allies, aimed at strengthening Arctic security, and in line with common transatlantic interests, "posing no threat to anyone."
Recently, European countries such as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland announced they would send troops to Greenland to participate in the "Arctic Endurance" military exercise initiated by Denmark on the island.
On the 17th, while announcing increased tariffs against the above countries, Trump stated that the personnel from these countries going to Greenland have an "unknown purpose." He said these countries are "playing a very dangerous game," pushing risks to an unsustainable critical point.