International
Europe Holds Crisis Talks As President Trump Sets Rising Tariffs Over Greenland
Europe Holds Crisis Talks As President Trump Sets Rising Tariffs Over Greenland
Europe holds crisis talks as president Trump sets rising tariffs over Greenland. Mr Trump has repeatedly said he seeks to own Greenland in order to guarantee security in the Arctic.
European leaders were angered and dismayed on Saturday when U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10 per cent tariff on imports from eight countries from February 1, citing disagreements over Greenland.
Mr Trump said the tariff would apply to all goods sent to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
The levy would rise to 25 per cent from June 1 and will remain in place “until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” he said in his post on Truth Social.
EU Council President António Costa criticised Mr Trump’s threat.
“If we want prosperity, we must open markets, not close them.
“We must create zones of economic integration, not raise tariffs,” he said as he signed a free trade agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur in Paraguay.
“The EU has always been very determined in defending international law – and, of course, especially in the territory of a member state,” he said when asked about Me Trump’s planned tariffs.
Mr Trump has repeatedly said he seeks to own Greenland in order to guarantee security in the Arctic, justifying his plans with security concerns about threats from China and Russia in the region. Largely autonomous Greenland is part of the territory of Denmark, a NATO member.
With a population of just under 57,000, Greenland has said it does not wish to become part of the United States. NATO allies also say that Greenland does not need to be taken over by the U.S. to protect the Arctic.
European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen and Ms Costa warned of the consequences after Mr Trump’s threatened levies. “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
“Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” the two said in posts on social media.
The EU had actually agreed on a deal with the U.S. last year in the customs dispute, which still has to be approved by the European Parliament.
The deal foresaw the U.S. customs duty of 15 per cent set to apply to most European products.
Meanwhile customs duties on U.S. industrial goods would be completely abolished and barriers to the import of certain foods would be removed.
The leader of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, said that his group supports the tariff deal, but that approval is not possible at this time in view of Mr Trump’s threats.
“The 0 per cent tariffs on U.S. products must be suspended,” he said.
Representatives of the EU member states are set to meet on Sunday for a special session after Mr Trump’s threat.
The Cypriot presidency said an extraordinary meeting at ambassadorial level was convened for the afternoon in response to the latest announcements by the U.S.
It remains unclear whether possible countermeasures will be discussed at Sunday’s gathering.
The EU has an instrument to defend itself against trade pressure, a regulation applying in situations where a third country attempts to use trade measures to force the EU or a member state to make a certain decision.
The regulation allows for counter-tariffs and many other measures, though the instrument is only to be used as a last resort.
The threatened tariffs affect countries that recently sent soldiers on an exploratory mission to the Arctic island at the heart of the dispute.
Mr Trump was angered by the European NATO members that have sent soldiers to the Arctic island for a reconnaissance mission ahead of a military exercise.
In Saturday’s post, the U.S. president strongly criticised the deployment.
Europe Holds Crisis Talks
“Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,” he wrote, describing this as “a very dangerous situation for the safety, security, and survival of our planet.”
But Ms von der Leyen and Ms Costa said the exercise was in line with the need to strengthen security in the Arctic and did not pose a threat to anyone.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the U.S.,” they said in posts on X.
Earlier, the head of the Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, told dpa that the military exercise in Greenland was set to continue for several more months.
“What we are currently doing is planning a longer-term exercise, which will continue throughout 2026 and perhaps into 2027,” he said.
“The Germans, as well as the Swedes and Norwegians, among others, are up here to explore the possibilities for joint training here,” Mr Andersen said.
The U.S. was also invited to “train up here” as were all NATO members, Andersen told dpa.
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy Ranked Strongest In Africa, 22nd Globally
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy ranked strongest in Africa, 22nd globally. The Nigerian naval fleet has been ranked the strongest in Africa, according to a 2026 Global Firepower (GFP) report.
The ranking is based on each country’s conventional war-fighting capability across land, sea, and air.
Nigeria shares maritime boundaries with the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Sao Tome and Principe, all located in the Gulf of Guinea, along an estimated 853 km coastline.
The waters also cover Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 220 nautical miles offshore and contains resources such as oil and aquatic life.
However, piracy and disputes remain persistent challenges.
Patrol boats, numbering 132, make up the bulk of the country’s 152 naval assets. The fleet is also credited with two mine warfare ships and one frigate.
Mine warfare can be deployed to deny access to strategic waterways or support siege-type operations around harbours and ports, while frigates have deep-water capabilities and can support rotorcraft.
The patrol boats consist of offshore patrol vessels, gunboats, missile boats, and fast-attack craft, designed for shallow-water operations.
The GFP report noted that Nigeria lacks aircraft carriers, submarines, corvettes, and destroyers.
Globally, the country was ranked 22nd.
In overall military strength, Nigeria was ranked third in Africa, behind Egypt and Algeria, and 33rd of 145 countries considered in the annual GFP review.
Navy Arrests
EGYPT, ALGERIA BEHIND NIGERIA IN NAVAL STRENGTH
Egypt was ranked Africa’s strongest military, followed by Algeria.
However, in terms of naval strength, Egypt was ranked second in Africa with 149 vessels and 23rd globally.
Algeria came in third place on the continent with 111 vessels and was ranked 34th globally.
Morocco and South Africa, operating 100 and 63 vessels, respectively, ranked fourth and fifth in Africa.
Tunisia, with 37 vessels, came sixth. Mozambique was seventh with 36 vessels, and Angola ranked eighth with 32 vessels.
Kenya and Eritrea occupied the ninth and 10th positions in Africa with 27 and 23 units.
International
President Tinubu Cooperating With American Troops To Eliminate Terrorists In West Africa, Says U.S. General
President Tinubu Cooperating With American Troops To Eliminate Terrorists In West Africa, Says U.S. General
President Tinubu cooperating with American troops to eliminate terrorists in West Africa, says U.S. General. Mr Anderson said he had a meeting with Mr Tinubu in Rome last year, during which they both agreed “to work together.”
United States General Dagvin R.M Anderson has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working closely with American forces to eliminate terrorists in the West African region.
Mr Anderson, the commander of Africa Command (AFRICOM), said Nigeria was a shining example among other African nations leveraging the U.S. sophisticated arsenal and “unique capabilities” in intelligence-gathering to exterminate the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
The U.S. general made the statement at a digital press briefing on Tuesday when asked about AFRICOM’s counterterrorism efforts in African partner countries. He said the command wanted to expand operations in West Africa, using Nigeria as a case study.
“We’re looking at working in the west. I think a great example of that is the partnership we’ve had with Nigeria,” Mr Anderson said.
“I’d like to highlight that our partnership with Nigeria is a great example of a very willing and capable partner who requested the unique capabilities that only the U.S. can bring—with some of the ISR, some of the intelligence fusion—to bring that to bear together,” the general added.
Mr Anderson said he had a meeting with Mr Tinubu in Rome last year, during which they both agreed “to work together.”
He said the outcome of the meeting led to “increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”
Boko Haram
Last month, Nigeria took delivery of heavy artillery from the U.S. government as a token of Washington’s support in the fight against terrorists.
Last year, President Donald Trumpdesignated Nigeria a country of particular concern over alleged Christian genocide and on December 25, 2025, the U.S. leader bombed major sections of Sokoto State as a symbolic “Christmas present” against Islamic extremists, he said in a statement.
Despite the airstrikes, armed groups have intensified attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly targeting vulnerable Christian communities.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
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