The eight European countries targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump with a 10% tariff for opposing his desire to buy Greenland blasted the move Sunday, warning that his “tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”

The joint statement was made by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom which had been targeted by Trump who warned of 10% tariffs on any and all goods sent to the United States of America starting February 1, then 25% from June 1st, if they oppose America’s desired control of Greenland.

They stated that the troops sent to Greenland for the Danish exercise “Arctic Endurance” did not pose a threat to anyone. “As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise “Arctic Endurance” conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone,” the group said. “We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.”

Trump had on Saturday indicated that he could use tariffs as leverage to force talks on Greenland.

Those tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and would continue until a deal is reached for the US to purchase Greenland, he said in a post on Truth Social.

“This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” he wrote.

Trump said there was “not a thing” Denmark could do about China and Russia’s perceived aspirations in the region.

“Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!” he wrote. “Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.”

U.S. Senator for Arizona Mark Kelly said Trump’s tariffs on US allies would make Americans “pay more to try to get territory we don’t need.”

“Troops from European countries are arriving in Greenland to defend the territory from us. Let that sink in,” Kelly wrote on social media. “The damage this President is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesn’t change we will be on our own with adversaries and enemies in every direction. Republicans in Congress need to stand up to Trump.”

Meanwhile, U.K. prime minister Keir Starmer said the tariffs announcement on allies was “completely wrong” and his government would “be pursuing this directly with the U.S. administration.” “We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic,” reads his statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that “no intimidation or threats” would work, “neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.” In a post on social media, Macron said the tariff threats “are unacceptable and have no place in this context.”

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, also voiced concern over Trump’s remarks, warning that Russia and China were “having a field day” and stood to benefit from divisions within NATO.

“If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO,” she said. “Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte had spoken with US president Donald Trump about the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic.

“We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week,” Rutte wrote on social media platform X.