US President Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland and merge it with America and is trying hard for this. At first he raised the issue of capturing Greenland through a military attack. However, their fellow NATO countries stood against this proposal. Now Trump has taken a step forward and announced to impose 10 percent tariff on these European countries which are creating obstacles in Mission Greenland. Along with this, he said that if America does not get permission to buy Greenland, then this tariff can increase by 25 percent.
There has been a sharp reaction from Europe on this announcement of Trump. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Christerson, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have strongly rejected the stance of US President Donald Trump and strongly advocated sovereignty and international law.
‘Blackmailing not accepted’
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson clearly said on social media that Sweden will not accept any kind of blackmailing. He said that only Denmark and Greenland have the right to take decisions on matters related to Denmark and Greenland. Christerson said that this is not just an issue of some countries, but of the entire European Union. He informed that Sweden is in deep discussion with other European countries Norway and Britain to give a joint and coordinated response on this issue.
‘Neither Ukraine nor Greenland will be afraid of threats’
French President Emmanuel Macron called Trump’s tariff threat ‘unacceptable’ and said such threats have no place in this context. He said that European countries will give a united and coordinated response. Macron clarified that France is fully committed to the principle of sovereignty and independence of nations and on this basis it has taken part in the military exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland. He said that France takes full responsibility for this decision, because the security of the Arctic and the borders of Europe is at stake. Macron said, ‘No threats or pressure will influence us… neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor in any other part of the world.’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticized the US move, saying that it is completely wrong to impose tariffs on NATO allies when they stand up for their collective security. He said that Britain will raise this issue directly with the US administration. Starmer reiterated that from Britain’s perspective only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide Greenland’s future.
EU stands firmly with Denmark
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also reacted strongly to Trump’s threat. He said that territorial integrity and sovereignty are the basic principles of international law and are very important not only for Europe but for the entire international system. He said that Europe and America have common interests regarding peace and security in the Arctic region, in which NATO plays an important role. The military exercise conducted by Denmark with allied countries was to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone. Von der Leyen said that the European Union stands strongly with the people of Denmark and Greenland. He warned that imposing tariffs would weaken trans-Atlantic relations and could lead to a dangerous downturn. He reiterated that Europe will remain united and defend its sovereignty.
What did Trump announce?
It is noteworthy that President Donald Trump has announced that unless America is allowed to buy Greenland, a 10 percent tariff will be imposed on eight European countries. Trump had warned that if this deal was not made, the tariff would be increased to 25 percent from June 1. He also said that from February 1, these tariffs will be applicable on Denmark, Britain, France and other European countries.
Trump has long been claiming that Greenland, rich in mineral resources, is essential for America’s ‘national security’ and should be under American control to protect it from the influence of China and Russia. He recently said that it was ‘unacceptable’ for Greenland not to be in US hands.
Tension increased between Denmark and US
Meanwhile, differences between Denmark and America seem to be deepening. After a meeting in Washington, Danish representatives acknowledged that there was ‘fundamental disagreement’ between the two countries over the future of Greenland. Denmark, along with allied countries, has also increased its military presence in Greenland.
Thousands of people took to the streets in Copenhagen and demonstrated demanding self-determination for Greenland. The protesters held posters with slogans like ‘Greenland is not for sale’ and ‘We will decide our own future’.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen clearly stated that the US takeover of Greenland is completely impossible and would be a violation of international rules and sovereignty. At the same time, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen also made it clear that if there was a choice between America and Denmark, Greenland would stand with Denmark, NATO and the European Union.
