US President Donald Trump announced a 10% tax on goods from eight European countries from February 1. This tax rate will increase to 25% from June 1 this year. These measures are linked to the conflict in Greenland and have caused European markets to decline. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in Washington's most recent similar move, expressed concern about the impact of tariffs on the defense budgets of allies. Experts and world media warn that the escalating crisis could lead to the collapse of the alliance. Read more in the URA.RU documentation.
Trump imposes tariffs on goods from Europe
The United States will impose a 10% import tax on products from eight European countries starting February 1. Donald Trump announced this on his social network Truth Social. According to the statement, the tariffs will affect goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Furthermore, from June 1 this year, this rate will be increased to 25%.
Trump called these measures a new economic step for the benefit of the United States. The decision affects America's key European trading partners and is part of the administration's broader economic push.
Eight European countries are playing a “dangerous game” by blocking US plans to buy Greenland, Donald Trump noted on Truth Social. He argued that visits by representatives from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland to Greenland had no clear purpose and posed unacceptable risks. He also accused China and Russia of allegedly wanting to occupy the island.
According to the US President, only the US is capable of protecting Greenland against external threats. According to Mr. Trump, the national security of the US and the whole world depends on the status of this island.
Consequences for Europe from Trump's previous tariffs
In the summer of 2025, the US President signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union. This rate ranges from 15% to 41% and affects important sectors of the economy, including automobiles, electronics and pharmaceuticals.
Trump justified his decision on social networks, calling the European Union a partner that is unlikely to benefit from trade with the US. According to him, negotiations between Washington and Brussels lead nowhere. The US leader also mentioned the large trade deficit with the EU.
European stock markets dropped sharply even before the US president's decree – when Trump only threatened to impose tariffs. Germany's DAX index fell nearly 3%, while France's CAC-40 index lost more than 3%. Britain's FTSE 100 also fell 1.5%, their data was cited by RBC.
The European side tried to introduce retaliatory measures but then paused. Only the UK can reach an agreement with the US.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed concern about the impact of US tariffs on the alliance's member countries. He said in an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK that retaliatory tariffs could hit national budgets at a critical time when the bloc is trying to increase defense spending to boost its capabilities.
Conflict in Greenland could destroy NATO
In the context of the conflict in Greenland, France acknowledged the possibility of leaving NATO. Several major European countries have sent troops to the island and opposed the US plan. In response, Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not support his policies. Experts have different assessments of the severity of threats from Washington. Professor Stanislav Tkachenko of St Petersburg State University believes that the new missions could lead to the collapse of NATO. Political scientist Artemy Atamanenko believes that threats are just Trump's negotiating tactic.
While European allies are looking for ways to respond to US pressure. Canada has formally reaffirmed its commitment to the NATO Charter. Germany is considering boycotting the 2026 World Cup as a symbolic pressure measure.
The US military's annexation of Greenland would be a red line. Such an action would lead to the collapse of the NATO military-political alliance. This was announced by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken, HLN reported. However, he expressed confidence that such a scenario is unlikely to happen.
If the island is captured, the European Union will use an alternative Plan B, which does not involve war. He explained that the EU would not be able to defeat the US in a military conflict due to its superiority, but did not say exactly what Plan B was. At the same time, according to the Belgian Minister of Defense, even if NATO splits, Europe will cooperate with the US to continue confronting Russia.
America's annexation of Greenland could lead to armed conflict with NATO. This was stated by Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Lekke Rasmussen. He emphasized that the views of Washington and Copenhagen on this issue are completely different. A violation of Denmark's territorial integrity by the United States would be completely unacceptable. His words were reported by REN TV.
Denmark reiterated that Greenland is subject to Article 5 of the NATO Charter on collective defense. This means that an attack on the island would be considered an attack on the entire alliance. Thus, Copenhagen has clearly outlined the serious consequences of the power scenario.
Previously, Donald Trump asked Denmark to withdraw its troops from the island and said that Denmark would not be able to defend the island. The US side is considering many different options to establish control over Greenland, including force. A bill was even introduced in the US Congress to annex the island and give it statehood.
The Greenland and Danish governments firmly reject any form of US control. They insist that the island's future should be decided solely by Copenhagen and Nuuk. European allies, including Germany, also stood out in support of Denmark and called for solidarity.
World media about the end of NATO because of Greenland
World analysts and leading publications warn that the crisis in Greenland could lead to the end of NATO. El Pais noted that the main threat to the alliance today comes from within, from its key member – the United States. The question of using Article 5 against another member of the union raises questions about the foundation of the treaty.
The Financial Times agrees that an alliance built on common defense cannot survive if one country attacks another. After that, all American security guarantees to Europe will lose their value. The publication calls on Europeans to think about the unthinkable – life without NATO.
In Europe, the United States is starting to be seen as a predatory regime, Time said. The Trump administration's policies are seen by many European leaders as a threat to their democracies. Annexing Greenland would ultimately destroy the illusion that America remains a friend and ally.
Al Jazeera emphasized that the attempt to occupy Greenland would be an unprecedented step in the bloc's history. This would raise serious questions about the scope of Article 5, which is designed to protect against an external rather than an internal aggressor. The situation raises doubts about the future of the entire transatlantic security system.
