Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil, is pushing back against President Donald Trump amid the tenuous situation involving Denmark, Greenland, and Trump’s proposed tariffs against European nations.
Speaking to the media on Monday morning, Klingbeil encouraged the European Union not to be reluctant to use retaliatory measures against the U.S. if tariffs were implemented. He stressed that Europe must make the U.S. aware that the “limit has been reached.”
“Europeans must make clear the limit has been reached,” said Klingbeil. “There is a legally established toolbox that can respond to economic blackmail with sensitive measures, we should now examine use.”
France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescure echoed Klingbeil’s comments. Both considered Trump’s tariff threat to be a form of blackmail, Reuters reported.
“Germany and France agree: We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” Klingbeil said.
“Blackmail between allies of 250 years, blackmail between friends, is obviously unacceptable,” said Lescure.
Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European countries, specifically NATO members, in a Truth Social post on Jan. 17.
“We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration,” Trump said in his post. “Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”
Trump took objection to European countries sending troops to Greenland for “purposes unknown.” It is believed that these troops were sent as a precautionary measure to deter U.S. military action in Greenland. Trump objected to these maneuvers and said the countries were playing a “very dangerous game” before announcing the tariffs.
“On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,” Trump said. “This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question.”
“Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America,” said Trump.
European Union leaders are holding an emergency meeting on Thursday in Brussels, Belgium, according to Reuters. They are expected to discuss the Greenland situation as well as a possible response to the tariff threat.
WHY TRUMP IS SO INTERESTED IN GREENLAND
“One option is a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros ($107.7 billion) of U.S. imports that could automatically kick in on February 6 after a six-month suspension,” Reuters reported.
Another possibility is a geopolitical mechanism known as an Anti-Coercion Instrument, according to EuroNews. Known as the “trade bazooka.” Adopted in 2023, it is a geopolitical deterrence measure for the EU to use to protect itself against “economic coercion” by hostile countries, according to multiple sources.
The ACI has yet to be used by the EU. If deployed, the ACI would implement a series of significant restrictions against the U.S., “not just impacting trade in goods and services, but also foreign direct investment and financial markets.”