Donald Trump’s latest tantrum has Dutch politicians calling him out for what it is: blackmail. The American president is threatening eight NATO allies, including the Netherlands, with punishing tariffs unless they help hand over Greenland to the US.
It seems that the Dutch and the rest of the EU aren’t having it this time.
Trump announced he’ll slap an additional 10% import tariff (potentially rising to 25%) on eight European countries that dared to participate in Denmark’s Arctic military exercise.
The crime? Sending soldiers to Greenland, which Trump has decided belongs to America, despite it being part of NATO ally Denmark.
The Netherlands sent two military personnel to Greenland, which Trump apparently considers a nuisance to his imperialist ambitions.
“This is blackmail,” says Dutch minister
Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel didn’t mince words when he appeared on WNL op Zondag. He called Trump’s threats “blackmail” and a “ridiculous proposal,” according to RTL Nieuws.
“This is not how allies treat each other,” Van Weel said, adding that the next two weeks must be used to get Trump’s tariff threats off the table entirely. If that doesn’t happen? “All options are open.”
Despite the threats, Van Weel confirmed the Netherlands won’t be withdrawing its two military personnel from the mission.
Originally, only one naval officer was being sent, but a logistics planner has now been added to the team.
For context, these proposed tariffs would come on top of the existing 15% import levy already in place on most EU goods. So Trump wants to pile an extra 10% to 25% on top, potentially making Dutch exports to America significantly more expensive.
We’ve seen this playbook before when Trump’s tariffs were first announced last year.
Eight nations stand together
The Netherlands isn’t facing this alone. Eight NATO countries issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s threats: the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Finland, and Denmark.
Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof posted the statement on X, declaring that the tariff threats “risk undermining” relations between Europe and the US. The statement emphasises that the Arctic exercise is a “shared trans-Atlantic interest” and “poses no threat to anyone.”
Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom:
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) January 18, 2026
As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise „Arctic Endurance“ conducted…
Political leaders unite against Trump
D66 leader Rob Jetten, the next PM, and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal, who are currently in negotiations to form the next Dutch government together with the VVD, were equally scathing in their criticism.
Jetten called it “unprecedented” for America to take such measures against its allies, whilst Bontenbal used the word “ridiculous.” Both leaders welcomed the EU’s announcement of counter-measures, reports the NOS.
Interestingly, both defend the decision to form a minority government during such turbulent international times.
According to them, it’s more important to quickly establish a new cabinet that can participate in European decision-making rather than spending another six months on coalition negotiations.
Bontenbal notes that “This makes it clear that a cabinet needs to come quickly, and that you can’t spend another six months forming one.”
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz, the third party leader in negotiations, declined to speak to the press before heading into a next round of negotiations.
Wilders didn’t say anything about Trump but did find time to mock Moroccans, which basically says everything.
What do you think of Trump’s tariff threats? Should the Netherlands hold firm or find a diplomatic way out? Let us know in the comments below.
Netherlands should hold firm.
No country should bully others – all are interdependent.