Ursula von der Leyen expressed this Saturday her “total solidarity” with Denmark after the US president, Donald Trump. The president of the European Commission has warned of a “dangerous spiral” of tariffs in reference to a possible symmetrical response by European countries.
“The EU stands with Denmark and the people of Greenland in total solidarity,” said Von der Leyen in a statement also signed by the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa. “Tariffs would negatively affect transatlantic relations and could provoke a dangerous spiral. Europe will continue to be united, coordinated and defend its sovereignty,” they added.
Von der Leyen recalled that the Danish military maneuvers with the support of several European countries that have provoked Trump’s reaction had been announced in advance and that “they respond to the need to strengthen security in the Arctic”. , he stressed.
Furthermore, he recalled that “dialogue remains essential” and in that sense he recalled that last week Denmark and the United States opened talks.
Von der Leyen has mentioned the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries as “fundamental principles of international law” that are “essential for Europe” and for the international community as a whole. “We have repeatedly underlined our common transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO,” added the European leader.
European sources have reported that a meeting at the ambassador level has been called for Sunday afternoon in an extraordinary call following the United States announcement.
China and Russia “must be enjoying it”
In the last few hours, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has warned that “Russia and China must be enjoying it” because “They are the ones who benefit from the divisions between allies.”
“If the security of Greenland is in danger, we can deal with it within NATO. Tariffs could make Europe and the United States poorer and affect our common prosperity,” he argued before pointing out how
Also the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolahas intervened in the debate to “support Denmark and the people of Greenland.” “The measures against NATO allies announced today do not help guarantee security in the Arctic, but could do the opposite, emboldening our common enemies and those who want to destroy our common values, our way of life,” he argued.
Metsola stressed that Denmark and Greenland “have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale and have asked for respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” “No threat or tariff can change that,” he stressed.
Trump announced this Saturday that starting next February 1 he will impose Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Finland in retaliation for its deployment in Greenland in the face of the president’s threat to take control of the island; a new tax that will remain in force until the United States completes the process of “acquisition” of the territory.
Trump, to double down on his bet, has also warned that this additional 10% tariff will rise to 25% starting June 1 and “must be paid until an agreement is reached for the total and complete purchase of Greenland” by the United States.
Meloni sees Trump’s decision as “a mistake”
Giorgia Meloni considered this Sunday that the American president was wrong to announce new tariffs against the European countries operating in Greenland. However, the operation was totally rejected by the Italian Prime Minister, who has offered herself as a mediator to resolve this new crisis.
“The announcement of this increase in tariffs against those nations that have decided to contribute to the security of Greenland is a mistake, and obviously I do not agree,” Meloni told the Italian media from Seoul, the new stop on his Asian tour.
The Italian Prime Minister has confirmed that she has held conversations in this regard with Trump himself, to make him see that the announcement of the European maneuvers “This is not an initiative against the United States, but against other hostile actors”in veiled reference to Russia and China.
“Trump knows my opinion,” he told the media, before announcing a round of talks with European leaders in the coming hours. “I think it is very important to dialogue between us,” he said.
