Ireland’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister called Trump’s tariff threat on Greenland “completely unacceptable”, promising a coordinated EU response.
istanbul: Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have described US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat on Greenland as “completely unacceptable”.
Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris (Picture) said that the threat to punish European economies over Greenland is unacceptable, and said Europe would be united in its response.
“Ireland has always stood for compromise and dialogue,” Harris wrote on social media platform X.
He confirmed that he would travel to Brussels to meet EU finance ministers.
Foreign Minister Helen McEntee also described Trump’s decision as “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable” in a separate post.
He stressed that Greenland’s future is a matter for the people of Denmark and Greenland, in line with democratic principles and international law.
“Ireland has been very clear that Greenland’s future is a matter to be decided by Denmark and the people of Greenland,” McEntee said. “This is a situation that will not change. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is non-negotiable.”
McEntee stressed that Denmark and Greenland have the sovereign right to conduct military exercises on their territory.
He said Ireland was coordinating closely with the EU and European partners in response to the US announcement.
McEntee said, “The only way to resolve issues of concern to the United States or any other country is through respectful engagement.”
Trump announced that Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight European countries starting February 1, rising to 25% in June.
The tariffs are targeted at Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
The US President linked the tariffs to a demand for “the complete and total purchase of Greenland”.
European leaders have since vowed a coordinated response to the tariff threat.
(Bernama-Anadolu)
