EU chief says Trump's Greenland plans risk a downward spiral in ties with U.S.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the World Economic Forum that U.S. tariffs tied to a dispute over Greenland could push relations with EU allies into a "downward spiral." President Trump has announced tariffs on several countries that are scheduled to begin Feb. 1 and rise in June.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos and said the EU shared concerns with the United States about Arctic security. She warned that U.S. tariffs tied to a Greenland dispute could send relations with EU allies into a downward spiral. President Donald Trump announced tariffs linked to a recent visit by military personnel to Greenland. European leaders have discussed responses and markets showed early signs of reaction. Key facts: - Von der Leyen warned that U.S. tariffs related to Greenland risk harming relations between the EU and the United States and said the European response would be united if coercive measures were used. - The U.S. announcement covers multiple countries connected to a recent Greenland visit; the tariffs were reported as 10% starting Feb. 1 and rising to 25% on June 1. - European diplomatic activity and talks about possible countermeasures were under way, and markets reacted with declines; the immediate procedural step noted in reporting is the scheduled tariff start date of Feb. 1. Summary: EU leaders presented the situation as a transatlantic policy dispute with diplomatic and market consequences, and discussions among European partners were reported to be ongoing. The next scheduled procedural step reported is the implementation of the announced tariffs beginning Feb. 1.