Trump tariffs could 'collapse' EU trade agreement - 'confrontation is heating up'

 Confrontation between the United States and Europe is "starting to heat up" according to the Co-Chair European Council on Foreign Relations. Carl Bildt made the comments in response to a threat by Donald Trump to impose tariffs on European nations who oppose his pursuit of acquiring Greenland.

The Former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden urged European nations to react strongly to the unprecedented threats from the White House, warning that "playing soft is hardly an option." He said: "Now Trump puts an extra 10% tariff on imports from all countries that sent military officers and soldiers to Greenland, threatening to later increase it to 25% and says this will remain until Denmark and Greenland capitulate. This will in all probability collapse the US/EU trade agreement. The confrontation is starting to heat up."

He added: "The Trump/US new tariffs is a crystal-clear violation of the EU/US and UK/US trade agreements. If this goes into force, the EU reaction must be as clear. To play soft is hardly an option."

The threats came as hundreds of people in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, attended a rally on Saturday in support of self-governance.

Thousands of people also took part in rallies across Denmark on Saturday opposing any US takeover of Greenland.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was "completely wrong" to impose tariffs over Greenland.

She wrote on social media: "A terrible idea. President Trump is completely wrong to announce tariffs on the UK over Greenland. People in both UK and US will face higher costs.

"These tariffs will be yet another burden for businesses across our country. The sovereignty of Greenland should only be decided by the people of Greenland.

"On this, I agree with Keir Starmer."

On Thursday, Downing Street confirmed one UK military officer had been sent at Denmark's request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic Endurance exercise, but denied it amounted to a "deployment".

Renewed security concerns come amid fresh pressure from Mr Trump, who has long insisted that the US must take over Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory.

His administration has even threatened to use force to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Nato ally Denmark, prompting concern about the future of the transatlantic alliance.

Since the US began openly discussing the annexation of Greenland at the start of 2026, the UK has stepped up discussions on Arctic security, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raising the issue in calls with Mr Trump, the Danish prime minister and the Nato secretary-general.