Donald Trump's threat on Saturday to impose tariffs on eight European countries unless they support his plan to buy Greenland came as a shock.

DAVOS, Switzerland - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned European nations on jan 19 against retaliatory tariffs over President Donald Trump’s threatened levies to obtain control of Greenland.

“It's blackmail what he's doing ... and it's not necessary. It doesn't help the alliance (NATO) and it also doesn't help Greenland,” Mr David van Weel said in an interview on Dutch television.