EU calls Trump’s threat over Greenland a mistake, calls for European independence as Davos kicks off

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called President Trump’s threat hitting eight of America’s NATO allies with tariffs over their stance Greenland “error” on Tuesday. Speaking at the opening of the Davos economic conference in Switzerland, Von der Leyen said Mr.

“When it comes to the security of the Arctic region, Europe is fully committed and we share the goals of the United States,” said von der Leyen, highlighting as an example the initiative of Finland, a new member of NATO, to sell ice to the US.

“It shows that our northern NATO members have forces ready for the Arctic right now. And above all, that Arctic security can only be achieved together. And that’s why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially among the old allies. The European Union and the United States have it. they agreed on a trade deal last Julyand in politics, and in business, an agreement is an agreement, and when friends shake hands, it should mean something,” said von der Leyen.

Greenland has been an independent Danish territory for more than 70 years, and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the country’s parliament on Tuesday that “the worst could still happen” in terms of disagreements with the Trump administration.

“Now we are being threatened by our closest allies,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

Frederiksen and Von der Leyen’s comments came after President Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight NATO countries, including Denmark, if they continued to reject his request for Greenland. Mr. Trump said those tariffs could rise to 25% in June if countries continue to disagree.

Von der Leyen said that the 27 member states of the EU, “do not consider the people of the United States not only our friends, but our friends, and putting us in a critical situation will help the very enemies we are committed to not enter the strategic area.

He said the EU is working on a package of measures to continue supporting Arctic security, the first goal of which is “full solidarity with Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”

“Their sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable,” said Von der Leyen, adding that the EU will work with Greenland and Denmark to see how it can support infrastructure there, as well as “working with the United States and all our partners on the broader security of the Arctic. This is clearly our shared interest, and we will increase investment.”

The Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is not attending the Davos conference, said that his government met with NATO members and other allies, and said that Western countries should be united in “respect for nationality, territorial integrity (and) respect for international law,” according to the Associated Press.