(Bloomberg) — US President Donald Trump reached a red line with his threat to hit NATO allies with additional tariffs for opposing his bid to annex Greenland, Germany’s finance chief said as he urged Europe to prepare its strongest trade countermeasure in response.
“We are constantly experiencing new provocations, we are constantly experiencing new antagonism, which President Trump is seeking, and here we Europeans must make it clear that the limit has been reached,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters in Berlin Monday.
“There is a legally established European toolbox that can respond to economic blackmail with very sensitive measures, and we should now examine the use of these measures,” added Klingbeil, speaking alongside his French counterpart, Roland Lescure.
Trumps letter to Norway PM is absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/cj0t2GaEJv
— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) January 19, 2026
TARIFF CRASH 3.0 LETS FUCKING GOOOOO
— Charting Guy (@ChartingGuy) January 19, 2026
As absurd as taking Greenland by force is, buying it is also crazy. The U.S. is already $38.6 trillion in debt (not counting unfunded liabilities that dwarf that amount). Why borrow more to buy Greenland when we can’t even afford to service, let alone repay, the debt we have now?
— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) January 19, 2026