Ireland’s deputy PM and foreign minister call Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland “completely unacceptable”, vowing a coordinated EU response.
ISTANBUL: Ireland’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister have condemned US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland as “completely unacceptable”.
Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris (pic) said the threat to penalise European economies over Greenland is unacceptable, adding that Europe will stand united in its response.
“Ireland always favours agreement and dialogue,” Harris wrote on social media platform X. “This threat of penalising European economies and businesses and linking that with Greenland is completely unacceptable, and I know Europe will stand united and coordinated in considering how to respond.”
He confirmed he will travel to Brussels to meet EU finance ministers.
Foreign Minister Helen McEntee also called Trump’s decision “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable” in a separate post.
She stressed that the future of Greenland is a matter for Denmark and the Greenlandic people, in line with democratic principles and international law.
“Ireland has been crystal clear that the future of Greenland is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by the Greenlandic people,” McEntee stated. “This is a position that will not change. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is non-negotiable.”
McEntee emphasised that Denmark and Greenland have the sovereign right to conduct military exercises on their own territory.
She said Ireland is coordinating closely with EU and European partners in response to the US announcement.
“The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US, or to any other country, is through respectful engagement,” McEntee added.
Trump announced that Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight European nations from 1 February, rising to 25% in June.
The tariffs target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
The US president linked the tariffs to the demand for a “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.
European leaders have since vowed a coordinated response to the tariff threat.
(Bernama-Anadolu)
