Brussels, Jan 19 (NationPress) The transatlantic divide concerning Greenland intensified significantly on Sunday as European nations presented a rare, collective opposition to the punitive tariff threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the strongest coordinated response to date, the eight nations directly affected by the proposed tariffs -- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom -- released a unified statement expressing their "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

They cautioned that the U.S. action could lead to a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic relations, committing to a "united and coordinated" response to protect sovereignty.

European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized on X that the European Union (EU) is "prepared to defend itself against any form of coercion" in light of Trump's tariff threats.

Responses from national leaders were prompt and resolute, with European officials denouncing the U.S. threat as coercive and intolerable. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel labeled the tariffs an act of "blackmail", urging Washington to retract the "absurd proposal" before implementation. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that Berlin "must not allow itself to be intimidated", asserting that "a line has been crossed".

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen conveyed on social media, "Europe will not be blackmailed." Highlighting the widespread support for Denmark, she noted that this issue extends "far beyond our own borders".

At the EU level, momentum to counteract was building. Valerie Hayer, president of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, urged EU leaders to activate the bloc's seldom-used "Anti-Coercion Instrument", likened to an "economic nuclear weapon." This mechanism would enable immediate retaliation, including punitive tariffs, market bans, financial sanctions, and the suspension of U.S. patents and licenses, all without needing authorization from the United Nations or the World Trade Organization.

Highlighting that the U.S. exports over $500 billion worth of goods to the EU annually, making the bloc Washington's largest market, Hayer cautioned that Trump "should think twice", insisting that the EU is "not afraid to use deterrence for our defense."

On Sunday night, a report from the Financial Times indicated that EU capitals are contemplating imposing €93 billion ($107.68 billion) in tariffs or reactivating the "Anti-Coercion Instrument."

Describing the tariffs as "unacceptable," the office of French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that he would advocate for similar actions should Washington pursue its threats.

After a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, in Oslo, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed unwavering support from Europe, even amid a potentially costly tariff conflict. "We must do everything we can to uphold the principles," Rasmussen stated. Meanwhile, Eide affirmed, "We will not yield to pressure."

Beyond the directly affected nations, other European countries joined in condemning the U.S. action. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during a visit to South Korea, called the tariff threats "a mistake."

Following separate discussions on Sunday with Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, as well as Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that it is inappropriate to impose tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO.

Earlier on Saturday, Starmer clarified Britain's stance on Greenland: "It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," criticizing the U.S. threat as "completely wrong."

Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee highlighted the essential principles of the UN Charter. "There can be no lasting peace and security in a world where these principles are ignored and undermined," she emphasized.

The Croatian government asserted that allies should respect one another and recognize that Greenland is part of Denmark. "In this context, we express our solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland," they stated, adding that additional tariffs would disrupt the balance of EU-U.S. trade relations and weaken the transatlantic partnership.

The unified European pushback sets the stage for a potential escalation. With calls to wield the EU's economic "bazooka" and repeated warnings against blackmail, Europe has demonstrated an unusual readiness to risk a tit-for-tat economic confrontation over Greenland's sovereignty.

Since returning to the Oval Office in 2025, Trump has frequently expressed a desire to "acquire" Greenland and has recently intensified his threats. In a social media post on Saturday, he announced that the United States would impose a 10% tariff starting February 1 on goods from the eight targeted nations. He cautioned that the rate would escalate to 25% on June 1 and remain in effect until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.