US President Donald Trump this Wednesday raised the threat of tariffs against several European countriesannouncing the preparation of a draft for a future agreement on Greenland after a meeting with the Secretary General of NATO.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had a “very productive discussion” with Donald Trump this Wednesday, said the Atlantic alliance’s spokeswoman, after the North American President announced a principle of agreement on Greenland.
Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States will continue to ensure that Russia and China will never be able to establish an economic or military presence on the Arctic island, the same source added in a statement.
US President Donald Trump this Wednesday raised the threat of tariffs against several European countriesannouncing the preparation of a draft for a future agreement on Greenland after a meeting with the Secretary General of NATO.
Trump also announced in the same publication “additional discussions” on the “Golden Dome” missile defense system in relation to Greenland and added that more information will be provided as negotiations progress.
The Republican stressed that the agreement puts everyone “in a very good positionespecially in relation to security, minerals and everything else”, adding that “there is no deadline, it is forever”.
Reactions to Trump’s decision
O Dutch Prime MinisterDick Schoof, who resigned from his position, welcomed Trump’s decision to lift the threat of tariffs against several European countries, including the Netherlands, which had deployed troops to Greenland.
“It is essential that the United States, Canada and Europe continue to work together within NATO to strengthen security in the Arctic region and combat the threats posed by Russia and China,” added Schoof, who also attended the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.
Also the ultraconservative prime minister of ItalyGiorgia Meloni, welcomed the North American President’s decision, also highlighting that it is “essential to continue and encourage dialogue between allied nations” within the scope of NATO.
Just hours before this announcement, Donald Trump had to take Greenland, but demanded “immediate negotiations” on its acquisition by the United States, reiterating that only the United States is capable of guaranteeing its security.
The US president insists that Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory rich in minerals, is vital to the security of the United States and NATO vis-à-vis Russia and China, as the melting of the Arctic ice opens new shipping routes and the superpowers compete for strategic advantages.
Extraordinary summit in Brussels
In reaction to Trump’s threats, European Union (EU) leaders scheduled a Thursday extraordinary summit in Brussels to address the crisis, which will be highlighted even though the North American President has withdrawn them.
Convened at the beginning of the week by the President of the European Council, António Costa, this emergency summit will seek coordinate the response of the 27 member states to the escalation of tensions provoked by Trump against those who obstruct his intention to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory dependent on Denmark.
EU sources cited by the Efe agency indicated that the extraordinary summit in Brussels remains scheduled to analyze the state of transatlantic relations and refused to comment on Trump’s most recent change in strategy, while NATO has not yet confirmed the agreement in principle.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, welcomed Trump’s decision to “rule out the use of force to take Greenland and suspend the trade war”, in a message published on social media.
“Now, let’s sit down and see how we can resolve US security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the Kingdom of Denmark’s red lines,” he added.
