European stocks fall sharply after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland

Market Reaction - European stocks experienced a sharp decline, with the Stoxx Europe 600 index falling 1.2% as investors reacted to President Trump's tariff threats [1][4] - Germany's DAX dropped 1.3% to its lowest level in nearly two weeks, while France's CAC 40 fell 1.8%, heavily impacted by losses in luxury stocks [2][8] - London's FTSE 100 saw a more modest decline of 0.4%, supported by its exposure to defensive sectors [4] Sector Impact - Luxury and automotive sectors were among the hardest hit, with major companies like LVMH, BMW, and Volkswagen facing concerns over potential sales declines in the US market due to new tariffs [4][5] - Defense stocks, however, showed resilience, with shares of Saab, Rheinmetall, and Dassault Aviation rising over 2% as investors anticipated increased military spending in Europe amid rising tensions [6] Tariff Details - Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, set to increase to 25% by June if negotiations over Greenland fail [5][10] - The tariff threats have raised concerns about the impact on margins and demand for luxury and automotive products in the US, a critical market for European exporters [5] Investor Sentiment - The selloff in European markets was accompanied by a flight to safe-haven assets, with gold prices reaching a new record of $4,672.49 an ounce, reflecting investor anxiety [8] - US futures indicated a rough opening on Wall Street, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq contracts down about 1% as traders anticipated potential retaliatory measures [9] Political Response - European leaders expressed concerns that the tariff threats could escalate tensions, with French President Macron advocating for a strong EU response, potentially restricting US access to the EU market [11][12] - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need for a unified EU position in response to the tariffs, acknowledging differing impacts among member states [12]