Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump criticised French President Emmanuel Macron after France declined to support Trump’s peace initiative. “Nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” Trump said. “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join.”
The comments come as Trump prepares to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where his recent remarks have heightened concerns among European officials. Earlier in the day, a letter Trump sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was published, suggesting his interest in purchasing Greenland was linked to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace,” Trump wrote.
European Union capitals have since entered discussions over possible retaliatory measures, including tariffs worth up to $108 billion on US goods. Trump announced plans over the weekend to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries that he claims are obstructing the proposed US purchase of Greenland. Those tariffs are set to begin on 1 February and would rise to 25% by 1 June if no agreement is reached.
The affected countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland, all of which are already subject to existing US tariffs ranging between 10% and 15%.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to US national security, claiming that both China and Russia have strategic interests in the Arctic territory. In a post, he said Denmark was incapable of defending Greenland and insisted only the United States could secure the region effectively.
Despite the growing rhetoric, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to calm markets, saying he was confident tensions would not spiral into a wider trade war. Speaking in Davos, Bessent said he believed both sides would ultimately reach a solution that avoided further escalation.
Markets, however, reacted negatively to the renewed tariff threats, with US stock futures falling and bond yields rising as investors weighed the risk of higher trade barriers and economic uncertainty.
Trump has renewed his interest in Greenland since returning to office, saying the US would pursue control of the island either through negotiation or other means. European leaders and the governments of Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea, warning that tariff threats risk damaging transatlantic relations.
As talks continue, both sides face mounting pressure to defuse tensions ahead of the proposed February tariff deadline.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne while intensifying his push for the United States to acquire Greenland, escalating tensions with European leaders.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump criticised French President Emmanuel Macron after France declined to support Trump’s peace initiative. “Nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” Trump said. “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join.”
The comments come as Trump prepares to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where his recent remarks have heightened concerns among European officials. Earlier in the day, a letter Trump sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was published, suggesting his interest in purchasing Greenland was linked to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace,” Trump wrote.
European Union capitals have since entered discussions over possible retaliatory measures, including tariffs worth up to $108 billion on US goods. Trump announced plans over the weekend to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries that he claims are obstructing the proposed US purchase of Greenland. Those tariffs are set to begin on 1 February and would rise to 25% by 1 June if no agreement is reached.
The affected countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland, all of which are already subject to existing US tariffs ranging between 10% and 15%.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to US national security, claiming that both China and Russia have strategic interests in the Arctic territory. In a post, he said Denmark was incapable of defending Greenland and insisted only the United States could secure the region effectively.
Despite the growing rhetoric, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to calm markets, saying he was confident tensions would not spiral into a wider trade war. Speaking in Davos, Bessent said he believed both sides would ultimately reach a solution that avoided further escalation.
Markets, however, reacted negatively to the renewed tariff threats, with US stock futures falling and bond yields rising as investors weighed the risk of higher trade barriers and economic uncertainty.
Trump has renewed his interest in Greenland since returning to office, saying the US would pursue control of the island either through negotiation or other means. European leaders and the governments of Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea, warning that tariff threats risk damaging transatlantic relations.
As talks continue, both sides face mounting pressure to defuse tensions ahead of the proposed February tariff deadline.
