Italy's Meloni calls Trump's Greenland tariffs an error
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni broke ranks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, labeling his tariff threats against European nations over Greenland a "mistake" and urging dialogue to avert escalation. Speaking to reporters during a South Korea visit, she disclosed a recent direct call with Trump to voice disagreement over new duties on eight European countries that sent troops to the Arctic territory. Meloni's stance carries weight as one of Trump's closest European allies.
"A tariff hike on countries choosing to bolster Greenland's security is a mistake, and I disagree," Meloni said at a Seoul press conference. She attributed the rift to a "misunderstanding and communication issue" between Washington and its European partners. Trump announced Saturday that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland face 10% duties on all U.S.-bound exports from February 1, rising to 25% by June 1—until a deal secures "full and total purchase" of Greenland, he posted on social media.
The targeted nations dispatched small military contingents to Greenland recently for Denmark-led Operation Arctic Endurance. Meloni clarified these moves target potential foes like Russia and China, not the United States. Italy sits out the mission, but Meloni said she had conferred with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and plans talks with European counterparts to prevent further transatlantic strain.
The EU summoned its ambassadors for an emergency Brussels meeting Sunday to plot a response, eyeing up to €93 billion in retaliation including its anti-coercion instrument to limit U.S. firms' EU market access, per the Financial Times. French President Emmanuel Macron deemed the threats "unacceptable," while Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel called it "blackmail." Thousands protested in Copenhagen, Nuuk, and elsewhere over the weekend, chanting "Greenland is not for sale."
Trump's move clouds last year's limited U.S.-EU trade pact, with European Parliament leaders signaling a ratification freeze.
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