The statement was signed on Sunday 18 January 2026 by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
It comes after Mr Trump said tariffs would be introduced from February on goods from those countries and could rise to 25% if no agreement is reached by 1 June.
In their declaration, the eight governments underlined the strategic importance of the Arctic and their shared security commitments within NATO.
“As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest,” the statement said, adding that the pre-coordinated Danish military exercise “Arctic Endurance”, carried out with allies, “responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.”
The signatories stressed their political backing for Denmark and Greenland, while signalling openness to talks.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” they said, noting that they were ready to engage in dialogue “based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.”
At the same time, the countries warned that the use of trade measures as leverage risked damaging relations across the Atlantic.
“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” the statement said. “We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”
The declaration reflects growing concern in Europe that trade pressure linked to Greenland could escalate into a broader dispute, even as European governments insist that Arctic security and sovereignty remain matters of collective defence and international law.
"Measured but determined-seeming statement from the Europeans the US is pressuring on Greenland," commented Daniel Fried, a former US ambassador to Poland in a post on social media.
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Source: IAR/X/@SwedishPM/@AmbDanFried