The political turmoil has intensified due to US President Donald Trump’s claim on Greenland and threat to impose tariffs on European countries. Many big American leaders have strongly criticized this policy of Trump. It has been described as dangerous for America’s reputation, economic interests and NATO alliance. Also, recent surveys have shown that Trump’s ambition is getting very little support among the American public. European countries have begun sending troops to defend Greenland, further increasing tensions in trans-Atlantic relations.

American leaders strongly criticized Trump

Trump’s policy has drawn strong reactions in American political circles. Democrats and some Republican leaders have called it ‘madness’ and ‘stupid’…

• Senator Mark Kelly: He wrote X, ‘Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to save it from America. Think about it. And now Trump is imposing tariffs on our allies, which will make you pay more money so they can get space we don’t need. The President is damaging our reputation and relationships, making us insecure. If nothing changes, we will be left alone, surrounded by enemies on every side. Republicans in Congress should stand against Trump.
• Bernie Sanders: He said, ‘Trump is increasing tariffs on 8 NATO allies because they are rightly supporting Denmark’s independence for Greenland. Breaking our closest alliances to acquire Greenland, where Denmark already gives us free use, is madness. Congress should say NO.
• Senator Thom Tillis: Criticizing the Republican senator, he wrote, ‘Sending a small number of troops for training in Greenland is a bad reaction for America, American business and American allies. This is good for Putin, Xi and other enemies who want to see NATO divided. This hurts President Trump’s legacy and weakens his years of work to strengthen NATO.
• Senator Patty Murray: He appealed to his Republican colleagues, ‘Enough is enough. The Senate must vote to block these tariffs and prevent the use of military force on Greenland. Trump is tearing apart our alliances in real time. The economic and diplomatic consequences will be catastrophic.
• John Bolton, former NSA: He said, ‘I have long said that a secure Greenland is critical for the West. But Trump’s latest bizarre outburst with tariff threats against allies in exchange for Greenland will make security and stability in the Arctic very difficult.

These statements show that Trump’s policies are being criticized beyond party lines. Many leaders have demanded Congress to block tariffs and military action, so that there are no cracks in NATO and enemy powers like Russia and China do not take advantage.

American people are against Trump

Recent surveys by Reuters and Ipsos have shown that Trump’s intention to occupy Greenland is getting very little support from the American public. Only 17% of Americans have supported Trump’s claim, that is, even 1 in 5 Americans do not completely agree. Only 1 in 10 Americans want the US to take military action against Greenland. Most Americans, whether Republican or Democrat, are against military intervention and the use of force.

The survey shows huge domestic disagreements, with people rejecting Trump’s diplomatic wishes. This survey was conducted a week after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. It is clear from this that Trump’s plan is not getting strong backing at the domestic level.

European countries deployed troops

European countries have supported Greenland’s independence and are preparing to increase NATO’s large and permanent presence under Denmark’s plan. On January 15, 2026, European countries sent a small number of troops (37-38 soldiers) to Greenland, the reason for which was said to be training and defense. France has said not to be afraid of Trump’s threats. Thousands of people protested in Greenland’s capital Nuuk and Denmark’s Copenhagen, where slogans like ‘Hands off Greenland’ were raised.

What is Trump’s plan and threat?
Trump has been talking for a long time about including Greenland in America or completely controlling it. He has described it as necessary for American national and global security. Recently, a high-stakes meeting was held between officials of America, Denmark and Greenland, where Trump reiterated his desire and said that ‘some solution will be found.’

Trump claims that Greenland is important for Arctic resources and strategic bases, where there is competition from powers like Russia and China. But Denmark (under which Greenland belongs) and the leaders of Greenland are rejecting it outright. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen has said that the territory will not become part of the US ‘under any circumstances’. This decision will be taken only by the local people of Denmark and Greenland.

Trump has announced to impose 10% additional tariff on 8 NATO allies (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands and Finland) who disagree on the Greenland issue from February 1, which can increase up to 25% by June. Trump has also not ruled out the use of military force. The White House said that the deployment of European troops will not affect their decision.

This dispute is increasing US-Europe tension, due to which there is a danger of economic war. NATO’s solidarity may weaken and attention may get distracted from issues like the Ukraine war. Experts believe that this is tarnishing America’s global image. Denmark and Greenland are insisting on following international law and respecting local wishes.

European Union (EU) MPs are now preparing to stop approving the trade agreement with America. This decision has come after US President Donald Trump’s new tariff threat, in which he has talked about imposing tariffs on European countries on the issue of Greenland.

EU stops trade deal with America

In response to Trump’s threat, Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, said on social media, ‘EPP supports the EU-US trade deal, but due to Trump’s threats on Greenland, its approval is not possible right now. The EU’s plan to reduce tariffs on American products will have to be stopped for now.

This trade agreement was signed last summer between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump. Under the agreement:

• America will impose 15% tariff on most EU goods.
• In return, the EU will eliminate duties on American industrial goods and some agricultural products.

Its purpose was to avoid a full-scale trade war on both sides. The agreement has been partially implemented, but the approval of the European Parliament is still pending. If the EPP and left-leaning groups vote together, it will be easier to stop or block it.

Many EU MPs already considered this deal to be too tilted in favor of America. Following the July agreement, the US extended 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum to hundreds more EU products, further increasing anger.

How did the EU react to Trump’s threat?

• Ursula von der Leyen said such tariffs would weaken transatlantic relations.
• French President Emmanuel Macron has called it ‘unacceptable’.
• European Parliament Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange said that the sovereignty of countries should be respected. He called for blocking the implementation of the agreement and using the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), which has never been used. This tool gives the power to use tariffs against coercive trade actions, taxes on tech companies and investment bans etc.

Danish MEP Per Clausen has sent a letter signed by 30 MPs calling for the deal to be frozen while claims and threats against Greenland continue. Ambassadors of 27 EU countries will discuss this issue in an emergency meeting on Sunday. This whole matter is increasing tension in transatlantic relations and is creating fear of trade war on both sides.

What threat did Trump give to the EU?

Trump announced on January 17, 2026 that from February 1, 10% extra tariff will be imposed on goods from 8 European countries Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands, Finland and Denmark. He said that if the US does not get a deal to ‘completely buy’ Greenland, this tariff will increase to 25% in June. Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark and Trump has been talking about including it in America for a long time.

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief and European Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas has issued a stern warning on the growing differences between America and Europe. He has said that China and Russia are getting the most benefit from the division between the allied countries (America and European NATO members).

Russia-China enjoy the fight between NATO allies

On January 18, 2026, Kaja Kailas posted on social media platform X and wrote, ‘China and Russia must be having a lot of fun right now. They are the ones who benefit the most from divisions among allied countries.

He further wrote that if there is any threat to the security of Greenland, then this issue should be resolved within NATO itself. Instead of escalating rhetoric or controversy on different forums, allied countries should find solutions within the NATO framework.

Tariffs will increase poverty on both sides

Kaja Callas also commented on US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat. He said, ‘Imposing tariffs will make both Europe and America poorer. This will weaken our shared prosperity and deepen the rift in trans-Atlantic relations (US-Europe).

Trade conflict weakens the economic strength of allied countries, which is taken advantage of by opposing powers (such as China and Russia).

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.

If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.

Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

We also…

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 17, 2026

Don’t get distracted by Ukraine war

The most important thing Kallas said was that any dispute between America and Europe should not divert attention from the ongoing strategic fight against Russia. He stressed, ‘Our main goal is to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Mutual differences should not become an obstacle to this goal.

Why did this warning come from EU?

This statement has come after Trump’s recent decision. Trump has demanded full inclusion of Greenland into America. If Denmark (to which Greenland belongs) and other European countries do not make a deal, they have announced to impose an additional 10% tariff on 8 NATO allies namely Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands and Finland from 1 February 2026. It may increase up to 25% by June 2026. Trump is calling it an issue of national and global security.

This has increased tensions among NATO allies and poses a danger of weakening Western solidarity. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. EU Council President Antonio Costa called for respect for international law and a united response from the EU.