Trump threatens to impose tariffs on countries that oppose the US annexation of Greenland European countries announced this Sunday (18) that they will strengthen security in the Arctic in support of Greenland, in the face of threats from United States President Donald Trump to annex the island. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp In a joint statement, Denmark, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands said they remain committed to the defense of Greenland, a semi-autonomous island belonging to Denmark. “As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a common transatlantic interest,” the statement said. Also this Sunday, the Greenland government thanked European nations for maintaining their support for the Arctic island. ➡️ France, Germany, the United Kingdom and other European countries have already sent small groups of military personnel to Greenland this week at the request of Denmark, which led Trump to threaten to impose trade tariffs on eight European allies until the US is authorized to buy the island. On Saturday (17), European leaders warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” due to Trump’s threat of tariffs, pledging to maintain their support for Greenland and Denmark’s sovereignty. Ambassadors from the 27 European Union countries will meet on Sunday to discuss their response to the threat of tariffs. “We live in extraordinary times that require not only decency but also great courage,” Greenland’s minister Naaja Nathanielsen, responsible for the island’s business, energy and minerals sectors, said in a statement. READ MORE: TRUMP WANTS TO BUY GREENLAND: Can a country acquire a territory? SEE: Greenland is smaller than maps show RESOURCE RESERVES: Why Greenland is rich in natural resources Pressure on NATO allies NATO warship sails during military training in the Arctic in January 2025. Disclosure/NATO Trump claims that Greenland is vital to US security due to its strategic location and mineral deposits, and has not ruled out the use of force to conquer it, raising alert in Europe with the prospect of a direct confrontation between NATO countries. Greenlandic companies themselves are unlikely to be significantly impacted by American tariffs, said Christian Keldsen, president of the Greenlandic Business Association. “The goal therefore appears not to be Greenland, but rather to pressure our European NATO allies,” Keldsen wrote on LinkedIn, thanking governments for standing firm. Thousands of demonstrators in Denmark and Greenland protested on Saturday and called on Trump to let the Arctic island determine its own future. Denmark’s foreign minister said he will visit Oslo on Sunday, followed by London and Stockholm in the coming days, to discuss the need for NATO countries to strengthen their coordination, presence and deterrence in the Arctic. “What our countries have in common is that we all agree that NATO’s role in the Arctic must be strengthened, and I look forward to discussing how this will be done,” Foreign Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen said in a statement. Nordics back Denmark Sweden on Saturday began intense discussions with other EU countries, as well as the United Kingdom and Norway, to work out a coordinated response, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said. “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” Kristersson said. Finland’s president said the Danish-led effort to bolster Greenland’s defense is an important part of strengthening overall security in the Arctic and that allies should resolve their differences through dialogue rather than pressure. “Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would harm the transatlantic relationship and could lead to a dangerous downward spiral,” President Alexander Stubb said in a statement. Norway’s Prime Minister stated that there is a broad consensus within NATO to strengthen security in the Arctic. “Threats have no place between allies. Norway’s position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.
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European countries announce increased security in the Arctic after Trump’s threat; Greenland thanks you for your support
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