European leaders are sharply criticizing President Trump over his renewed push to assert control over Greenland, with concerns mounting across the bloc about the implications for trade and security. The story gained traction when reported by The Guardian, which detailed a growing rift between Washington and its European allies.
At the center of the response is Ursula von der Leyen, who described Trump’s threat to impose a 10 percent tariff on several European countries as a “mistake.” She also pointedly referenced a trade agreement reached last July, stressing that “in politics, as in business, a deal is a deal,” a remark widely read as casting doubt on the reliability of US commitments.
Trump has shown no sign of backing down. Posting on social media Tuesday, he said there was “no going back” on Greenland, calling the island “imperative for National and World Security,” and insisting the US would take control “one way or the other.” Similar tensions were explored in Trump refuses to rule out war to acquire Greenland, but his plan B is an economic catastrophe for key European allies.
The transatlantic alliance is feeling the strain
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and Trump’s rhetoric has alarmed allies who see it as a direct challenge to long-standing norms. The president even shared an AI-generated image depicting himself alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, planting a US flag next to a sign reading “Greenland, US territory est. 2026.”
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss city of Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called “new imperialism or new colonialism.” He criticized the tariff threats as “useless aggressivity,” saying he preferred “respect to bullies” and warning that the United States appeared intent on weakening Europe through demands for maximum concessions.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever echoed those concerns, warning that decades of Atlanticism could be ending if “a NATO country is threatening another NATO country with military invasion.” He said Europe now faced a choice between asserting itself or losing its dignity. This follows earlier reports like ‘I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland’: Trump leaks Macron’s private text offering an emergency Paris summit with an unexpected guest list that showed other strain points.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added that the global “rules-based order is fading.” Further arguing that the previous system was unlikely to return and that nostalgia offered no viable strategy going forward.
Trump’s tariff threat targets imports from eight countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, unless they withdraw objections to the Greenland plan. Von der Leyen warned against a “downward spiral” in relations but said the EU’s response would be “unflinching, united and proportional” if required, including possible retaliatory tariffs on €93 billion worth of US goods and use of the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument.
On the ground, tensions are rising. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said “the worst may still be ahead of us,” while Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen acknowledged that military force was unlikely but still possible, noting Greenland’s NATO status. Denmark has already deployed 58 troops to the island for the multinational exercise Operation Arctic Endurance.
Within the US administration, some officials have urged restraint. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told European partners to “take a deep breath,” dismissing the reaction as hysteria, while House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had spoken at length with Trump in an effort to calm the situation.
Published: Jan 20, 2026 05:30 pm