Swedish PM Kristersson rebuffs Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs on European nations if they do not allow him to acquire Greenland, saying Europe would not be intimidated.

“We won’t let ourselves be intimidated,” Kristersson said in a message to AFP. “Only Denmark and Greenland decide questions that concern them.”

Stressing that the issue goes beyond bilateral ties, he said, “I will always defend my country and our allied neighbors,” calling the matter “a European question.”

Kristersson added that Sweden is holding intensive discussions with other EU countries, as well as Norway and the United Kingdom, to coordinate a joint response.

Trump earlier on Saturday escalated his push to acquire Greenland, threatening tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries until the purchase of the Danish territory is secured.

The remarks came amid widespread protests against Trump’s proposal, with thousands demonstrating in Greenland’s capital and further protests reported in Copenhagen and other Danish cities.