European leaders on Wednesday expressed bewilderment and pushed back against President-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out using military force to occupy Greenland.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that the leaders of European Union countries will not tolerate violations of the borders of Danish territory, where sovereignty is a principle of international law.
“During our discussions with our European partners, certain lack of understanding regarding the recent statements of the United States became clear,” Scholz said. The principle of non-aggression applies to all countries,” he added. East or west of us? ”
His comments came after President Trump on Tuesday did not rule out military action or economic coercion in claiming Greenland. His remarks were made at a press conference during his son Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Greenland’s capital Nuuk.
President Trump also said in a post on his Truth Social platform this week that “Greenland is a wonderful place and its people would benefit tremendously if it became part of our country.” He also said.
Other senior European lawmakers gave similarly firm responses to Mr. Scholz on Wednesday, although they appeared to suggest that the threat of a U.S. invasion of Danish territory was not credible.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault told France Interradio on Wednesday that attacks on Greenland’s borders by other countries were “out of the question” and unacceptable.
But Barot added: “If you ask me if I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no.”
German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit also pointed to the principle of the United Nations Charter and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s defense pact that “national borders may not be moved by force” at a press conference on Tuesday.
The mutual defense clause of the Treaty on European Union obliges all member states to provide relief and assistance “by all means possible” if one of them is attacked.
Experts say President Trump’s no-nonsense approach to foreign policy, whether he means it or not, could cause lasting damage.
Jon Rahbek Klemmensen of the Danish Institute for Strategic Warfare Studies told NBC News in an interview Tuesday that his comments “increase European distrust of the United States” and “implement the need for greater strategic autonomy from European leaders.” He said that this would lead to “promotion to win.”
However, he added, “The simple fact is that Europe is dependent on the United States for the time being and will have to live with President Trump in any case.”
In this vein, European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper said at a press conference on Wednesday that the Commission “looks forward to working with the incoming US administration towards a powerful transatlantic challenge.” .
Denmark, on the other hand, has taken a two-pronged approach to President Trump’s comments, reaffirming its political and economic commitment to Greenland on the one hand, and seeking to downplay its rift with the incoming Trump administration on the other. There is.
The country’s Foreign Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen said Wednesday that President Trump’s concerns about Arctic security – which he cited as one of his reasons for wanting to absorb Greenland – are a concern given the growing activity of China and Russia in the region. He said it was legitimate and rejected the idea that the problem was getting worse. Foreign policy crisis.
President Trump has been paying attention to Greenland since his first term in office, and told reporters last month that U.S. control of the vast Arctic island is important for U.S. economic security due to its strategic position and abundance of natural resources. He said it is essential for.
He vowed on Tuesday to “impose tariffs on Denmark at a very high level” unless Denmark relinquishes control of the territory.
Greenland Prime Minister Moute Egede has long advocated independence for the region from Copenhagen, but Prime Minister Loke Rasmussen on Wednesday left the door open to the possibility of taking over the country he rules. President Trump’s proposal has been rejected in the past.
Muriel Domenach, France’s former ambassador to NATO, wrote in a post on said that it would be done.
Still, Denmark “wants to avoid a public confrontation with President Trump that could have a negative impact on U.S.-Denmark relations in the long run,” Rahbek-Clemensen said.
“Danes hope that this situation will resolve itself over time,” he added.
