MWE Correspondent
European leaders have moved to calm rising tensions after United States President Donald Trump renewed his controversial push to acquire Greenland, coupling the demand with threats of sweeping trade tariffs against key European nations.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said Europe would not bow to economic pressure or intimidation, stressing that cooperation — not coercion — must guide transatlantic relations. Her remarks came after Trump announced plans to impose new import tariffs on countries he accused of blocking Washington’s ambitions over Greenland.
Under the proposal, a 10 percent tariff would be levied on goods entering the United States from eight European countries starting February 1, with the rate potentially rising to 25 percent by June if no agreement is reached. The countries affected include Denmark and several of its close European partners, a move that has sparked widespread concern across the continent.
In a joint response, European leaders warned that using trade measures to pursue territorial objectives could seriously damage long-standing alliances. They cautioned that such actions risk undermining trust between Europe and the United States at a time when global stability depends heavily on cooperation among allies.
Frederiksen said Europe remains open to dialogue but made it clear that sovereignty is not negotiable. In a message shared online, she welcomed what she described as a strong and united stance from across the continent, adding that Europe would not be pressured into concessions through economic threats.
The dispute centers on Greenland, a vast Arctic island that governs its internal affairs while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump has repeatedly argued that the territory is critical to U.S. security interests, citing its strategic position between North America and the Arctic, a region of growing military and economic importance.
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European leaders strongly rejected suggestions that Greenland could be bought, emphasizing that the island’s future rests with its people. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining stability in the Arctic through collective security frameworks such as NATO, noting that cooperation among allies has long been the foundation of peace in the region.
Beyond security concerns, Greenland’s natural wealth has added another layer to the debate. The island is believed to hold large deposits of rare earth minerals, as well as potential oil and gas reserves, resources that are increasingly valuable in a world transitioning toward new technologies and energy systems. Analysts say these factors, combined with intensifying global competition in the Arctic, help explain Washington’s renewed interest.
Trade analysts have warned that imposing tariffs on major European economies could backfire, disrupting supply chains and escalating economic tensions on both sides of the Atlantic. They argue that linking trade policy to territorial ambitions sets a risky precedent that could weaken international trade norms.
As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to resources, the Arctic has become a focal point of global strategic interest. European leaders insist that managing these changes requires dialogue, respect for international law, and cooperation — not unilateral pressure.
While the situation remains fluid, Europe’s message has been consistent: it values partnership with the United States, but it will firmly defend its principles, its allies, and the right of Greenland’s people to determine their own future.
