Italian PM says US tariffs over Greenland "a mistake"

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday that the US imposition of tariffs on European countries over Greenland is a mistake. A...

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday that the US imposition of tariffs on European countries over Greenland is "a mistake."

According to Italy's Rai News, Meloni made the remarks during a visit to South Korea. She said that she had discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump and the NATO secretary general.

Noting that the Arctic is a region of strategic importance, Meloni said that in this context, decision by some European countries to deploy troops to strengthen security should be understood.

Meloni's remarks came in response to Trump's announcement on Saturday that the United States would impose a 10 percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland, and raise the levy to 25 percent from the beginning of June unless a deal is reached for the United States to purchase the territory.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy.