Despite the visible relief at their reversal in the crisis of GreenlandEU leaders warn Donald Trump that they remain “vigilantes” and ready to activate all their defense instruments if they return to the fray with new “threats” against their allies, a scenario that they consider highly probable.
“Transatlantic relations have undoubtedly received a severe blow this week“said the head of community diplomacy, Kaja Kallaupon arrival at the emergency summit called this Thursday to examine the latest movements of the tenant of the White House.
Following the success of its military operation in Venezuela at the beginning of the year, which ended with the capture of Nicolas MaduroTrump had made the annexation of Greenland his top priority, even flirting with the possibility of using force against a NATO ally like Denmark.
But what really alarmed Brussels was last Saturday’s announcement of an additional 10% tariffwhich was due to come into force on February 1, aimed at the eight European countries that have sent soldiers to the large Arctic island as part of a mini deterrent force.
Far from resorting to his usual strategy of appeasement and flattery, This time the EU has stood up to Trump’s threats and he made it clear that he would respond with all the instruments at his disposal, including his “commercial bazooka”: the Instrument against Economic Coercion, which allows restrictions to be imposed on large American digital platforms.
In the end, the president of the United States announced in Davos that he was renouncing the use of military force in Greenland and that he would not impose new taxes on European countries. Trump maintains that he has reached an agreement in principle with the head of NATO, Mark Ruttewhich allays your worries.
“Although everyone is relieved with the recent announcements, in this last year we have seen that we have to be prepared for a lot of unpredictability. So we still need to discuss our plans for different scenarios, because one day it’s one thing and the next day everything could change“, affirms Kallas.
French President Emmanuel Macron upon arrival at the emergency summit in Brussels
“We have started the week with an escalation, with threats of invasion and tariffs, and we have returned to a more acceptable situation, although we remain vigilant“said French President Emmanuel Macron.
“When Europe is united, strong and reacts quickly, things return to order and calm“says Macron, who has attributed Trump’s retreat to the firmness exhibited by the Europeans in defense of Greenland.
“When we are threatened, or when one of us is subjected to pressure or coercion, it is normal that there is solidarity and that, using our own instruments, we make ourselves respected. And that is what has happened,” highlighted the French president.
“We remain extremely vigilant and prepared to use our instruments if we are threatened again,” Macron insisted.
Sovereignty, red line
The main protagonist of the emergency summit in Brussels has been the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksenwhich has insisted that it is willing to continue talking with Trump, but has made it clear that its “red line” is that the “sovereignty” of Denmark and Greenland be respected.
“We have to work together respectfully, without threatening each other“said Frederiksen, who thanked the rest of the European leaders for their support in the battle he fought (and so far won) against the US president.
“When Europe is not divided, when we are united and we are clear and strong in our will to make ourselves respected, that works,” says the Prime Minister of Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen upon arrival at the Brussels summit
It is the same message that the German chancellor has repeated, Friedrich Merzalthough he has been much more conciliatory with Trump. “It has been shown that unity and determination on the part of Europe can have real effects,” he said.
“I am very grateful that President Trump has reversed his plans to take over Greenland, and also that he has given up imposing new tariffs as of February 1. All of this is the result of our joint efforts between Europe and the US to find a common path that allows us to move forward together in the difficult times that we are undoubtedly experiencing,” said Merz.
For the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tuskthe European Union must do “everything possible” to protect transatlantic relations and NATO, although it admits that it is a difficult task with the current occupant of the White House.
“American leadership, we respect and accept it. But what we need today in our politics is trust and respect between all the partners here present, no domination and certainly no coercion. That doesn’t work in our world,” Tusk said.