US President Donald Trump has said he will “100 percent” go ahead with his threat to impose tariffs on European countries that oppose his demand for Washington to take control of Greenland, as the European Union vowed to defend its interests and sovereignty.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump confirmed he would press ahead with the tariff plan, including a 10 percent duty on all goods from Britain from February 1, rising to 25 percent from June 1, until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

The US president said the same measures would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, all Nato allies.

“I will, 100 percent,” Trump said when asked if he would follow through on the tariff threat.

European leaders have rallied behind Greenland’s sovereignty, rejecting Trump’s claims. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Europe must show Washington that tariffs and threats are “not the way forward.”

“You can’t threaten your way to ownership of Greenland. We have red lines that can’t be crossed,” Rasmussen said.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc has “no interest to pick a fight, but we will hold our ground,” adding that “sovereignty is not for trade.”

The European Union is set to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss its response to Trump’s latest statements.

Trump also declined to rule out the use of force when asked whether he would seize Greenland, replying: “No comment.”

Denmark has warned that any US military action in Greenland would threaten the future of Nato, while several European allies have voiced firm support for Denmark and Greenland’s position.

With inputs from BBC