Prime Minister Mark Carney joined a chorus of world leaders critical of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “serious” threat of sweeping tariffs on European allies to pressure Denmark into negotiations over Greenland.
The move is sparking protests across the Arctic and sharp rebukes from Europe and Canada.
“It’s a serious situation and we’re concerned, we’re concerned about this escalation,” Carney told reporters during his trip to Doha on Sunday.
A day earlier, Trump announced Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France would face a tariff of 10 per cent starting Feb. 1.
He added those duties would raise to 25 per cent in June if a deal is not in place for the “Complete and Total purchase” of Greenland by the U.S.
The president suggested the tariffs were leveraged to force talks over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that Trump says is vital to U.S. national security.
On Saturday, thousands of people marched through snow and ice in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, chanting “Greenland is not for sale,” waving national flags.
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Police described the demonstration as the largest they have ever seen in the city.
About 825 kilometres away, dozens of people rallied in Iqaluit, Nunavut, in a show of solidarity with Greenlanders.
“Greenland is owned by the Greenlandic people,” protesters chanted in Inuktut as they marched for an hour in freezing, windy conditions.
In speaking with reporters, Carney reiterated Canada’s support for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of countries.
“The future of Greenland, decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide,” he said. “The security of Greenland, security is first and foremost for them, but very much falls within the responsibility of NATO.”
Carney said he’s spoken with the prime minister of Greenland and NATO partners and said there’s a “full commitment” to the security of Greenland. He added Canada would continue to work to increase Arctic defence capabilities.
He went on to tell reporters this would be the message he’d share with Trump.
Trump is scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos later this week, alongside several European leaders he has threatened with tariffs.
The eight European countries put out a statement on Sunday, criticizing the threat of tariffs, saying it undermines transatlantic relations and risks “a dangerous downward spiral.”
They went on to add they stand in “full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
“Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind,” the countries wrote.
Following a meeting by European Union member states on Sunday, European Council President Antonio Costa said he had decided to convene an “extraordinary meeting” in the coming days. He also reconfirmed the council’s unity in support of and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
A day earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said France stands firmly behind Greenland’s sovereignty and rejected the use of trade threats.
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” Macron wrote on social media, adding that Europeans would respond “in a united and coordinated manner” if the measures are confirmed.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Greenland’s future is for Greenlanders and Denmark to decide.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” Starmer said, adding the issue would be raised directly with the U.S. administration.
Bob Rae, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, also chimed in on Trump’s announcement.
The tariff threat could mark a significant rupture between the U.S. and its NATO allies.
Greenland already hosts the U.S.-run Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, supporting missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance for the U.S. and NATO.
“There is no sign of the Trump war of aggression against Greenland and Denmark letting up. It is not about ‘security’ any more than Venezuela was about ‘narco-terrorism.’ They are both about seizing control and plunder.”
He further added, “No country, including my own, Canada, is safe or secure.”
The tariff threat could mark a significant rupture between the U.S. and its NATO allies.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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