OSLO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- In a rebuke to the latest tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the eight European countries targeted by the tariffs issued a joint statement on Sunday, affirming their "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland and warning that the U.S. actions risk triggering a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic relations.
The statement was issued by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Britain.
The eight countries, all targeted by Trump's tariff threats on Saturday, stated that they are "committed to upholding our sovereignty" and stand ready for dialogue based on the principles of "sovereignty and territorial integrity." They condemned the U.S. tariffs, saying that they "undermine transatlantic relations," and vowed a "united and coordinated" response.
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. ■