European countries have decided to strengthen security in the Arctic to support Greenland in the face of threats from United States President Donald Trump to annex the island.
Denmark, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands released a joint statement this Sunday (18). The group reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.
“As a member of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a common transatlantic interest,” the statement said.
The Greenland government publicly thanked the European support. Local authorities highlighted the importance of “international solidarity” in the face of rising tensions.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom have already sent small military contingents to Greenland last week. The mobilization took place at the request of Denmark. The move led Trump to threaten trade tariffs against eight European allies if Washington does not receive authorization to buy the island.
European Union calls emergency meeting on Greenland situation
The European Union called an emergency meeting for this Sunday in order to define a response to Trump’s pressure to buy Greenland. The meeting will bring together ambassadors from the bloc’s 27 countries. The schedule foresees a start at 5pm local time, 12pm in Brasília. Cyprus, which holds the temporary presidency of the European Union, will host the meeting.
On Saturday (17), European leaders warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” caused by tariff threats from the United States. They reaffirmed support for Greenland and Denmark’s sovereignty. Ambassadors from the 27 European Union countries will discuss a joint response this Sunday.
“We live in extraordinary times that require not only decency but also great courage,” said Greenlandic Minister Naaja Nathanielsen, responsible for Business, Energy and Minerals.
Thousands of demonstrators demonstrated on Saturday in Denmark and Greenland. The acts called on Trump to respect the island’s right to decide its own future.
Trump claims that Greenland is vital to the security of the United States. He cites the island’s strategic position and its mineral deposits. The president did not rule out the use of force to obtain it, which raised alert in Europe regarding the possibility of a direct confrontation between NATO countries.
Macron signals European Union trade “bazooka” against US
European governments reacted with criticism of Trump’s announcement, made on Saturday. The US president has said eight countries will face a 10% tariff starting next month for rejecting US control of Greenland.
Trump included Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland on the list. The American government has not clarified whether the measure will affect the European Union as an economic bloc.
French President Emmanuel Macron intends to ask the European Union to activate the so-called “anti-coercion instrument” if Washington confirms the tariffs. The Frenchman’s team informed the decision this Sunday.
The tool, nicknamed the commercial “bazooka”, never came into force. The mechanism allows the bloc to restrict imports of goods and services in response to external economic pressures.
