European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the World Economic Forum in Davos.
with a
sharp rebuke of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs
on NATO allies over Greenland, calling it a diplomatic and strategic “mistake” that
risks a transatlantic “downward spiral.
EU Calls Trump's Tariff Threat a Strategic Mistake
Speaking at the Davos summit, Ursula von der Leyen directly addressed Trump's tariff threat, which proposes a 10% duty on imports from eight NATO nations—including Denmark—if they continue to oppose his administration’s interest in acquiring Greenland.
Von der Leyen condemned the move, stating, The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies.
She emphasized that the EU-U.S. trade deal agreed upon in July 2025 should signify trust, arguing that a deal is a deal, and when friends shake hands, it must mean something.
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Her comments frame the
threat not merely as a trade dispute, but as a breach of diplomatic faith that
undermines shared security objectives.
The Arctic Security Context: Why Greenland Matters
The dispute centers on Greenland's strategic significance in Arctic security.
Von der Leyen countered Trump’s adversarial framing by highlighting existing allied cooperation, noting Finland’s sale of icebreakers to the U.S. as proof that “Arctic security can only be achieved together.
She announced the EU is preparing a support package for Greenland and Denmark, affirming that “the sovereignty and integrity of their territory is non-negotiable.
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This stance
aligns with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s warning
that “the worst may still be ahead of us,” illustrating a unified European
position that views the tariff threat as an attack on a close ally's
sovereignty, not a legitimate bargaining tool.
Broader Implications: A Call for European Strategic Independence
Beyond the immediate crisis, von der Leyen’s speech served as a call for European independence. She warned that a “downward spiral” in transatlantic relations would only benefit common adversaries.
The EU’s promised “unflinching, united and proportional” response signals a potential shift toward a more assertive, self-reliant European foreign and security policy.
This incident at Davos crystallizes a growing EU resolve to ensure its economic
and security policies can withstand external pressure, reinforcing the bloc’s
strategic autonomy in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
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Source Information
This report is
based on live remarks from Davos and official government statements.
- For
the full transcript of von der Leyen's speech: European
Commission
- For
ongoing coverage of the dispute: Associated Press
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