LONDON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said in a statement on Sunday that the announcement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Greenland, including the decision to impose tariffs on several European Union (EU) members, Britain and Norway, is "completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable."
McEntee said, "Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people, in line with well-established democratic principles and international law."
Peace and security depend on all United Nations (UN) Member States abiding by the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, McEntee said, adding, "There can be no lasting peace and security in a world where these principles are ignored and undermined."
"Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is non-negotiable. It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter and of international law. It is what keeps all countries -- large or small, militarily aligned or neutral -- safe and secure," McEntee said in the statement.
Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.
The tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has recently ramped up his threat. ■
