‘Trump’s tariff threats a mistake’: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warns of ‘unflinching and united’ response

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen today called the proposed additional tariffs by United States President Donald Trump a mistake, especially when imposed on long-standing allies. Expressing her concern for Arctic security, she stressed that it can only be achieved through collective efforts.

Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, she asserted that Europe is “fully committed” when it comes to the security of the Arctic. She reaffirmed that Europe’s response will be “unflinching, united and proportional” to any further escalation in Trump’s repeated threats for Greenland and tariffs.

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Von der Leyen further said that the European Union will continue to stand with Greenland and Denmark in full solidarity. She stated that the EU is working with them “hand in hand” to boost their local economy and infrastructure and facilitate a massive European investment surge both in Greenland and Denmark.

Referring to the trade deal that the European Union and the United States had agreed to in July last year, the EU chief said that it must mean something when friends shake hands.

Arctic security can only be achieved together.

This is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies.

The EU and US have agreed to a trade deal last July.

A deal is a deal.

And when friends shake hands, it must mean something. pic.twitter.com/5wpMic148s

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 20, 2026

“Geopolitical shocks can – and must – be an opportunity for Europe. The seismic shift underway makes it both possible & necessary to build a new European independence. From security to the economy. From defence to democracy. Europe is gathering speed,” she mentioned.

Geopolitical shocks can – and must – be an opportunity for Europe.

The seismic shift underway makes it both possible & necessary to build a new European independence.

From security to the economy.
From defence to democracy.

Europe is gathering speed ↓ https://t.co/aLU0vo76Wn

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 20, 2026

European Union President’s comments have come today after the US President threatened to impose a 10 per cent tariff on all goods exported to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, from 01 February 2026. He said the tariffs will be raised to 25 per cent on multiple European nations from June 2026, if they disagreed to sell Greenland to the US.

Also read: EU halts trade deal with US, warns Trump’s tariffs risk ‘dangerous downward spiral’