EU Council President Costa added in his statement that they wanted to continue to work constructively with the USA. There is a common transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, particularly through cooperation within NATO.
The heads of state and government of the eight affected countries initially reacted with a joint statement. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and pose the risk of escalation,” said the statement from Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Great Britain. They are determined to protect their own sovereignty.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul did not rule out counter tariffs. If the USA takes further measures, “then there will have to be a European response,” said the CDU politician in the ARD’s “Report from Berlin”. There will be intensive discussions with Washington.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held telephone conversations with Trump on Sunday. Rutte was said to have spoken to the US President about the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. “We will continue to work on it,” he said, adding that he looked forward to meeting Trump in Davos. The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos, and Trump is also expected to attend on Wednesday. Starmer emphasized again in the conversation with Trump that it was wrong to impose tariffs on allies if they were committed to the collective security of NATO allies, a spokeswoman said.
The US government has justified its goal of annexing Greenland to the USA with the aim of avoiding a possible conflict in the Arctic region. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program: Greenland can only be defended if it is part of the United States – and if Greenland is part of the United States, there will be no need to defend it in the first place. “The president is trying to avoid a conflict.” Bessent also said: “The Europeans look weak. The USA look strong.” The US would not outsource its national security.
Trump also took part in a military fact-finding mission to Greenland with soldiers from the eight countries affected by the tariff threat. The 15 Bundeswehr soldiers involved left on Sunday. The declaration by the eight states said that as NATO allies they were committed to strengthening security in the Arctic. The Arctic Endurance exercise, coordinated by Denmark, poses no threat to anyone.
