London: European leaders are warning of a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations with the United States in the dispute over Greenland, as they canvass a sweeping retaliation against President Donald Trump for threatening new tariffs on their exports.

However, the eight leaders are being careful to avoid any personal remarks that might inflame the dispute with Trump when the argument has the potential to wreck the NATO alliance.

Denmark’s prime minister says Europe won’t be blackmailed by Trump’s threat of tariffs against eight NATO member states.Credit: AP

Instead, they are blasting Trump’s policy move as “blackmail” and framing it as a test of sovereignty for them all.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” says the statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands.

“Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

A key point in the statement is the reference to “our” sovereignty, not just the borders of Greenland or Denmark. The European leaders see this as a bigger question because Trump is using economic coercion so nakedly against them.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sums this up in a message that welcomes the support from neighbours.

“Europe will not be blackmailed,” she writes. “At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders.”

There is no sign, so far, of an urgent meeting of the leaders to show their unity against Trump. British Prime Minister Keir........

© The Sydney Morning Herald