The eight European countries, after supporting Greenland (and having already moved some military contingent there), published a joint statement this Sunday in which they show solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. In the letter, they wanted to defend, among other issues, that their military presence in Greenland is to support the territory and that this “does not pose a threat to anyone.”
“As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The Danish coordinated ‘Arctic Resistance’ maneuvers carried out with allies respond to this need. They do not pose a threat to anyone,” Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Great Britain said in the statement.
The countries have wanted to defend the sovereignty of the territory, as well as remember the danger that measures such as those announced by the president of the United States can pose for transatlantic relations. “Tariffs undermine transatlantic relations and could cause a dangerous spiral. We will continue to be united and coordinate our response. We defend our sovereignty,” added the eight signatory countries.
It should be noted that practically at the same time as they published the advertisement, the agency EuropaPress has assured that the German military contingent that was in the territory on “reconnaissance mission” has left Greenland. According to several sources from the newspaper ‘Bild’, the departure of the soldiers occurred without warning and after being deployed for less than 48 hours in the area.
New threats to its allies: it imposes 10% tariffs on several countries starting in February, which may increase to 25% in June
Europe’s response comes after the president of the United States announced this Saturday the imposition of tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland “until an agreement is reached for the total purchase of Greenland.” The Republican It imposes 10% tariffs on these countries starting in February, which may increase to 25% in June.
This situation will continue, as the American leader has threateneduntil an agreement is reached for the purchase of Greenlandsomething that in his words the US has been trying to achieve for more than 150 years. And, as the Republican has been defending in recent weeks, his interest in the territory responds to reasons of national security.
And, according to his latest actions, threats and movements, to be willing to do anything to achieve iteven if that means breaking ties and ties with nations that have historically been allies of their country.
Trump’s tariffs: a form of “blackmail”
Following the new tariff repression announced by Trump, the Dutch Foreign Minister, David van Weel, wanted to describe the president’s actions as a “blackmail“, as well as something “incomprehensible” and “inappropriate.” “This blackmail is not the way to work with your allies,” he assured, before saying that it is a “ridiculous” plan on the part of the US leader.
In fact, despite American retaliation, the Netherlands wanted to report that will not withdraw its military troops from the area and also plans to send more troops there once the maneuvers begin. “We have a lot of work to do there and the first priority is to get this ridiculous proposal off the table,” the politician exclaimed.
It is worth remembering that a week ago several countries belonging to NATO (including Spain) signed a joint declaration in which they made their position clear, asking to respect the territorial integrity of the territory of Greenland and reminding the US of the fact that it must act as an ally, because that is what it is.
“The Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO,” they assured, and “security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, in collaboration with NATO allies, including the United States, upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”
