Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said Europe will not bow to pressure from US President Donald Trump, as European leaders rallied behind Greenland in response to Washington’s threat of tariffs over the autonomous Danish territory.

Trump has warned he will impose new tariffs on eight US allies – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK – from February if they oppose his plan to take control of Greenland. He has described the island as vital for US security and has not ruled out using force, triggering strong criticism across Europe.

In a joint statement, the countries threatened with tariffs said Trump’s move could spark a “dangerous downward spiral” and undermine transatlantic relations.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the statement said, stressing that Arctic security is a shared Nato interest and that sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

Writing on Facebook, Frederiksen said Europe wanted cooperation, not conflict, but would stand firm on its core values.

“Europe will not be blackmailed,” she wrote.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had spoken with Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte before holding talks with Trump. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Starmer made clear that Greenland’s security was a priority for all Nato members and that imposing tariffs on allies over collective security was wrong.

Trump has threatened a 10 percent tariff on goods from the eight countries from February 1, with the possibility of raising it to 25 percent until a deal is reached.

European leaders have warned the move would damage long-standing alliances, while public protests have already taken place in Denmark and Greenland against Trump’s takeover plan.

With inputs from BBC