Former US President Donald Trump has recently (January 17, 2026) vowed to implement increasing tariffs on several European nations, including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, if the United States is not permitted to purchase Greenland. This aggressive stance has triggered a wave of strong condemnation from European Union leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa issued a joint warning of a 'dangerous downward spiral' in transatlantic relations. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the threats as 'unacceptable,' asserting that Europe would respond in a united and coordinated manner. A key concern articulated by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is that these growing divisions among Western allies directly benefit geopolitical rivals. Kallas explicitly stated, 'China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies.' European officials, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reiterated that Greenland's sovereignty belongs to its people and Denmark, and issues of Arctic security should be addressed within the NATO framework, not through economic coercion. The prospect of tariffs risks not only economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic but also undermines the collective security of NATO, potentially distracting from the urgent focus on other global challenges. The India Today article accurately captures these verified reactions and claims, highlighting the ongoing tensions and their broader geopolitical ramifications.