Trump threatens to impose tariffs on those who do not comply with his plans on Greenland

While a small contingent of some European armies has been in Greenland since yesterday, the president of the United States, Donald Trump does not give an inch on his plan to take over Danish territory. Trump threatened to strike with customs duties on countries that do not support his plans of annexation but has reported that it is discussing the issue with NATO, a sign that a dialogue with allies is nevertheless underway.

“We really need Greenland, without it we have a huge hole in national security,” the president reiterated to reporters, “we are talking to NATO“. The tycoon’s aims on the large Arctic island have not only alarmed European partners but have also aroused criticism at home, and not only from the democratic opposition. A bipartisan congressional delegation is currently in Copenhagen to send a message of solidarity and try to lower tensions.

Eleven senators and representatives met with the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Mette Frederiksen e Jens-Frederik Nielsenand then gathered for a closed-door meeting with the Danish Foreign and Defense Ministers, Lars Lokke and Troels Lund. The latter is expected in Brussels on Monday, together with Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, for a summit with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The annexation of Greenland is “not a good idea”, the senator declared in a press conference from Copenhagen Lisa Murkowskia Republican from Alaska, according to whom this opinion is shared “by 75% of Americans”. “In the current discussion in Washington there is a lot of rhetoric but not a lot of reality,” the Democrat said instead Chris Coonswho called for “lowering tension” and starting “a more constructive dialogue”. Coons stressed that there are currently no threats from China or Russia in the Arctic that would justify annexation. The White House envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, interviewed by Fox News, said in any case that he was sure that an agreement “should be reached and will be reached”.

The European Commission holds the point, a spokesperson for which recalled that “Greenland is part of the territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and therefore, in principle, is covered by the mutual solidarity clause referred to in art. 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union”. “However, the question does not arise at the moment,” the spokesperson added. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolacalled on him to remain calm and reiterated the “principles of” territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has meanwhile clarified that Italy does not intend to send military personnel to the island as done by other European nations. “We must not underestimate the risks to Greenland’s security in the future too and it is good that NATO is present, that Europe does its part”, said the deputy prime minister, “but it is not by sending 10-15 soldiers that the security problems are solved, a strategy is needed”.