European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 10% tariffs on imports from eight NATO allies over Greenland, calling it a "mistake" that risks plunging Europe and the US into a "downward spiral". Speaking at the Davos economic conference in Switzerland, Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU is committed to Arctic security and shares the objectives of the US, highlighting Finland's move to sell ice breakers to the US as an example.
Von der Leyen stressed that the proposed tariffs are particularly concerning given the close relationship between Europe and the US. "A deal is a deal, and when friends shake hands, it must mean something," she said, in reference to the EU-US trade agreement reached last July.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Denmark's relations with the US could worsen, saying that being threatened by its closest ally was "the worst" scenario. Greenland has been a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark for over 70 years, and the current standoff has raised concerns about the future of this relationship.
In response to Trump's threat, Von der Leyen announced that the EU is working on a package of measures to support Arctic security, including full solidarity with Greenland and Denmark. The EU will invest in infrastructure and work closely with the US and other partners to address wider Arctic security issues. "The sovereignty and integrity of their territory is non-negotiable," Von der Leyen said.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed von der Leyen's sentiments, calling for respect for national and territorial integrity as well as international law. The EU and US have a shared interest in Arctic security, and the EU is committed to supporting this effort.
The Davos conference has highlighted the growing tensions between Europe and the US over issues such as trade and security. As the standoff over Greenland continues, it remains to be seen how both sides will resolve their differences without jeopardizing their long-standing alliances.
Von der Leyen stressed that the proposed tariffs are particularly concerning given the close relationship between Europe and the US. "A deal is a deal, and when friends shake hands, it must mean something," she said, in reference to the EU-US trade agreement reached last July.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Denmark's relations with the US could worsen, saying that being threatened by its closest ally was "the worst" scenario. Greenland has been a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark for over 70 years, and the current standoff has raised concerns about the future of this relationship.
In response to Trump's threat, Von der Leyen announced that the EU is working on a package of measures to support Arctic security, including full solidarity with Greenland and Denmark. The EU will invest in infrastructure and work closely with the US and other partners to address wider Arctic security issues. "The sovereignty and integrity of their territory is non-negotiable," Von der Leyen said.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed von der Leyen's sentiments, calling for respect for national and territorial integrity as well as international law. The EU and US have a shared interest in Arctic security, and the EU is committed to supporting this effort.
The Davos conference has highlighted the growing tensions between Europe and the US over issues such as trade and security. As the standoff over Greenland continues, it remains to be seen how both sides will resolve their differences without jeopardizing their long-standing alliances.
. Like, Trump thinks he can just threaten Europe and the US's relationship with Denmark over some disputed territory? It's so messed up! 
And now they're talking about tariffs? That's like, nuclear option level stuff 
. The EU is right to stand firm on this one - it's not just about Greenland, it's about the principle of respecting international law and national sovereignty 
.
. The EU and US have been partners for years, but now it feels like we're being treated like vassals or something 
.
- she's showing the world what true leadership looks like. And I love how Denmark is pushing back too 
. It's about time someone called out Trump's tantrum and told him to behave 
.
I'm reading this story about Trump's threat on Greenland and it's just crazy 
. If 10% tariffs are imposed, the impact would be huge for Europe 
. Like, we're talking billions of dollars in trade 
. And what's the point of it all? To make a point over some frozen island 
? It just doesn't add up 
.
. We need to work together, not tear each other apart 
. If they can't agree on that, how are we gonna address climate change? 
:
. Can't we find common ground over something as important as Greenland? 
. Meanwhile, the EU is stepping up and showing that they're not going to be pushed around 
. But let's get real, if Trump can't play nice with his friends, how's he going to work with Russia or China? This whole thing just reeks of weakness 
. And what about Finland selling ice breakers to the US? That's just a slap in the face to their European partners 
. All in all, I think we're seeing some serious cracks in the transatlantic relationship right now 
.
Trump's all about tariffs and threatening his friends 
... meanwhile, I think Von der Leyen is totally right 
, a deal is a deal! 
It's like if your bestie was being super clingy - you'd try to resolve the issue and not make it worse 
. The EU and US have a strong partnership and this whole Greenland thing just makes me wonder if we can work together 
, investing in infrastructure and all that jazz 
... now let's see how this whole thing plays out 
!
, and greenland is caught in the middle 
. i don't get why trump can't just chill about this, he's already made so many enemies with his trade wars 
. the eu is right to stand firm on this one though, they can't just let trump walk all over them 
. and what's up with finland selling ice breakers to the us? 
seriously tho, this whole thing with greenland is super concerning, i feel bad for denmark and the EU cuz trump's threats are really harsh, i dont think they needed to say that 
... Denmark's Mette Frederiksen is right too, being threatened by our ally is the WORST scenario 
... let's get this package of measures going ASAP 
...
. The EU and US are already sharing interests in that area, so why can't they just work together instead of making threats? 
.
. I mean, who needs allies that can just up and threaten them with economic ruin? Not exactly the kind of cooperation we need to solve actual problems like climate change 
. And can we please just get some respect for national sovereignty already? It's not that hard to understand why Denmark is freaking out 
.
... I mean, what's next? Are we going to start seeing some kind of protectionist spiral where everyone just starts playing it safe and cutting themselves off from each other? 
. Can't we just talk things through and find a way forward that works for everyone?
. I mean, you have two of the world's biggest economies and allies just sort of... freaking out over some ice in the middle of nowhere? It's like, can't we all just get along on this one? The EU and US have been friends for ages, and it's not like they don't have a shared interest in Arctic security. I think Von der Leyen is right on point when she says it's a "mistake" that risks plunging both Europe and the US into a downward spiral.
. But for now, it seems like we're stuck in this awkward standoff, waiting to see how everything plays out.
Europe and the US have been friends for ages, it's time to work together not threaten each other with tariffs