Trump tariff threat… Denmark’s PM: “Europe won’t yield to intimidation”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe would not yield to intimidation after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled he would impose tariffs on major European countries opposing a U.S. annexation of Greenland, a Danish territory.

In a statement posted on social media on the 18th (local time), Frederiksen said she had spoken with leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer following Trump’s tariff announcement, adding that “Denmark has received tremendous support.”

The U.K., France and Germany are among the countries Trump threatened, citing the deployment of troops to Greenland, with 10% tariffs on imports from the U.S. starting next month and 25% starting June 1.

Frederiksen said, “It has become even clearer that this is an issue that goes far beyond our borders,” adding, “More importantly, we are standing firmly on the fundamental values on which we built the European community.”

She added, “We want to cooperate, and we are not the ones seeking conflict,” saying she was “glad Europe is sending a consistent message,” and that “Europe will not be intimidated.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he plans to visit Norway, the U.K. and Sweden—NATO allies—over the coming days to discuss NATO’s Arctic security policy.

Noh Jeong-dong, Hankyung.com reporter dong2@hankyung.com