The leaders of all 27 European Union countries are set to convene for an extraordinary meeting later this week in response to escalating U.S. pressure from President Donald Trump over Greenland, Baltimore Chronicle with reference to vv.com.ua. This development follows Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on goods from eight NATO allies and his renewed demand for “complete and total control” of Greenland.
Trump’s tariff announcement targets Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. These nations recently dispatched small contingents of troops to Greenland to participate in military exercises, prompting the president to criticize their contribution to Arctic security while reiterating his ambition to acquire the resource-rich island.
On Sunday, Trump sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store reaffirming his desire to take control of Greenland. The letter, confirmed as received by Store’s office, contained the president’s assertion that Denmark cannot adequately defend Greenland against Russia or China and questioned Denmark’s historical claims. Trump emphasized his role in NATO and argued that transatlantic allies should now act in the interests of the United States.
European Council President Antonio Costa explained that the extraordinary summit was called due to the “significance of recent developments.” He noted that discussions among EU leaders underscored a strong commitment to international law, Arctic security through NATO, and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. Costa also criticized the proposed tariffs, stating that they would harm transatlantic relations and violate the EU-U.S. trade agreement. The meeting will take place in Brussels, confirmed as an in-person session.
Trump announced that the tariffs would take effect on February 1 and rise to 25% on June 1, remaining in place until Greenland could be acquired by the United States. Greenland remains a self-governing territory of Denmark. Previous proposals by Trump to purchase the island during his first term were rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic authorities.
Analysts warn that Trump’s new tariffs risk triggering a transatlantic trade conflict. A French official confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron intends to activate the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism if additional U.S. tariffs are imposed. This instrument would allow the EU to restrict U.S. goods, investment, access to public procurement, and intellectual property protections.
Trump has consistently argued that U.S. sovereignty over Greenland is essential for national security and for countering Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic. Although a 1951 defense agreement already provides U.S. military access, Danish authorities have proposed expanding NATO presence and recently unveiled a $6.5 billion Arctic defense package. Despite these measures, Trump has suggested he might consider military action if diplomatic or economic strategies fail.
The recent NATO troop deployment to Greenland, part of the Danish-led Operation Arctic Endurance, is cited as the immediate trigger for Trump’s tariff threat. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt are scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at headquarters in Brussels.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged calm dialogue among allies, emphasizing that Greenland’s security is increasingly critical amid Arctic climate changes. Starmer stressed the United States’ central role in regional security and affirmed the U.K.’s readiness to support NATO efforts. He also criticized Trump’s use of tariffs against allies, describing it as an inappropriate method for resolving alliance disputes and an unsuitable justification for economic pressure.
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