"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hit back at Donald Trump's threats of tariffs over the Greenland row - but admitted that his own country would suffer more than most - during a speech on Monday at the Konrad Adenauer Institute in Berlin ahead of local elections in Rhineland-Palatinate region. "Tariffs are usually paid by those in the country where the imports go. In this case, the American consumers would pay the tariffs, but they would, of course, also affect our economy, which would harm the economy of the Europeans and especially the German economy," he said. He appeared to criticise the US for exaggerating the importance of Greenland, saying: "the United States of America once had over 30,000 soldiers stationed in Greenland. Currently, there are fewer than 200. So obviously, the threat assessment by the United States itself is not as dramatic as it is currently presented…the principles of territorial, the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty apply, even in the relationship between member states within NATO." Merz also suggested that NATO countries deploying a handful of troops to Greenland should've been no surprise to the US - saying it was discussed at NATO council - after Trump suggested his new tariffs were in retaliation for that move. He also said that he'd like to "focus a bit more on Ukraine in my upcoming discussions". "that is currently my greatest concern for the security of Europe. Not Greenland, but Ukraine," he added. On Friday, Trump suggested he "may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland" - and then on Sunday, announced a new 10 per cent levy on Denmark and seven other European countries; Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Trump said it would be "until a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" - and would increase to 25 per cent in June if no deal was made. Those countries affected reacted on Sunday that Trump's actions "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral", adding that their joint Greenland exercises "pose(s) no threat to anyone." NATO countries sent a handful of troops to Greenland - 15 from France, 13 from Germany and one each from the UK and Netherlands - leading to media outlets questioning and joking about the nature of the commitment. The White House insisted it wouldn't change Trump's mind. Trump has insisted he needed Greenland - an autonomous Danish territory - for 'security reasons', and the ongoing row has also raised issues about Denmark's own difficult relationship and past treatment of its former colony."