The wish of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, for Greenlandgoes . He seems to be in a hurry and his pressure is increasing, while the European Union and NATO They are taking measures, combined with diplomatic channels and one last decision to meditate: pay the US in the same currency and impose tariffs worth 108,000 million dollars (about 93,000 million euros), .
The other option is restrict access of US companies to the bloc’s market in response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to NATO allies who oppose his campaign to seize Greenland.
Retaliation measures are being developed to give European leaders leverage in crucial meetings with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, according to the report FTciting officials involved in preparations for the meetings in Switzerland.
Downing Street spokesperson, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, spoke with Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenand the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte They also contacted, and then spoke with, President Trump.
Trump has moved in recent days from political-military pressure on Greenland to an open economic confrontation with Europe, using threats of increasing tariffs as leverage to force a sale of the territory, while the EU and several allies have closed ranks with Denmark and Greenland.
Trump’s latest statements and announcements
Trump has announced to all imports from Greenland and from eight European countries involved in its defense (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Finland), with threat of raise them to 25% in June if Greenland is not negotiated.
“The United States needs to own Greenland”
In social networks and statements over the weekend, he repeated that “The United States needs to own Greenland” to rein in Russia and China, insisting that current agreements with Denmark (including the 1951 treaty that already allows it to expand bases) are insufficient and comparing the situation with the recent military operation in Venezuela.
Key meetings
On January 15, a meeting at the White House between Vice President JD Vancehe Secretary of State Rubio and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland; Washington spoke of “continue technical discussions on the acquisition”while Lars Løkke Rasmussen clarified that it was only agreed to create a high-level group to study security options, without accepting any sale.
At the same time, several European allies (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Nordic countries) have coordinated deployments of military personnel to Greenland in exercises with Denmarkin a scheme of “permanent” rotating presence in the style of the eastern flank of the I’LL TAKEstressing that the defense of the island is a matter for the entire alliance.
The president of the European Council, António Costa, said this Sunday that he will convene the member states to an extraordinary meeting “in the coming days.” According to European sources, the Portuguese could call the meeting in person on next Thursday, January 22.
The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksenstates that “Europe will not allow itself to be blackmailed” in response to Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on eight NATO members over Greenland.
The leaders of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom warn in a joint statement that Trump’s plan risks sparking a “dangerous downward spiral”.
All eight countries say they strongly support “the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Greenland despite threats of a 10% tariff.
Regarding Spain’s position, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchezwarned today in an interview that a hypothetical US aggression on Greenland would weaken NATO and benefit Russiain a message aimed at underlining the geopolitical cost of the pulse.
Meanwhile, against Trump’s plans in Greenland and Denmark.
The last thing was the joint press conference held in Oslo by the foreign ministers of Norway and Denmark, where they addressed the tense diplomatic situation:
- Espen Barth Eide (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway)stated that “Norway stands firm alongside the Kingdom of Denmark” in this matter, respecting 100% its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He described the US president’s threats to impose tariffs on allies as “unacceptable among close allies” and assured that Norway will not allow itself to be pressured.
- Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark) declared that this is not just a problem for Denmark, but for the “international world order”and remembered that Greenland is covered by the .
Mark Rutte has spoken to Trump
Mark RutteNATO Secretary General, has spoken directly with Donald Trump about the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic, with at least one phone call confirmed on January 18, 2026.
No details of the content have been revealed, but Rutte has said that “we will continue working on it”without naming the issue of tariffs, and hopes to meet in person with Trump in Davos this week during the World Economic Forum.
The response of Denmark, Greenland and allies
He danish government insists that a US takeover because the bases agreement already gives Washington all the military access it needs, and emphasizes that Greenland “not for sale” and that the defense of the island must be maintained within the framework of NATO.
“Greenland is not for sale”
European leaders and security experts highlight that There is no immediate threat from Russia or China to Greenland. and that, in fact, the United States has already exercised de facto military control on the island since the Second World War, so the problem they identify now is the White House’s own strategy.
World markets shake, euro weakens
He euro opens lower and European markets are expected to see under pressureaccording to Constant updates are the bread and butter not of every day, but of every minute, adding Sunday night currency movements and new quotes.
Upon beginning operations in Asia-Pacific, the euro fell 0.2%situated around the $1.1572its lowest level since November. The pound sterling also depreciatedwhile the yen strengthened against the dollar.
US markets will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, meaning a delayed reaction in Wall Street.
According to Capital Economicslos most exposed countries to the increase in US tariffs were the United Kingdom and Germanyestimating that a 10% tariff could reduce the GDP of those economies by about 0.1%, while a 25% tariff could reduce production by 0.2 to 0.3%.
Of course, there is always a counterpart: it is likely that the European defense actions continue to benefit of geopolitical tensions. Defense actions SXPARO are up almost 15% this monthsince on the part of the United States it fueled concern about Greenland.
Why this matters so much: NATO, the Arctic, trade and a dangerous precedent
What makes these days’ episode different from other past “outings” is the combination of three elements:
- Immediate economic action (tariffs) as a political lever.
- European coordinated responsewith meetings and joint messages, warning of the deterioration of the transatlantic relationship.
- The Arctic as a board: limited deployments, yes, but with high symbolic value and with NATO looking askance.
