Spoke with Trump over Greenland, says NATO chief; to meet US President
Brussels, January 19
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday spoke with US President Donald Trump on the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic, amid Washington's threat to impose 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark and European Union countries.
Mark Rutte also informed that he will meet US President Trump this week in Davos.
In a post on X, Mark Rutte said, "Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week."
Rutte did not share details of the conversation with Donald Trump on the matter.
Meanwhile, Several European countries have come together and expressed support and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland amid the threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European nations untill it is allowed to acquire Greenland.
A joint statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom--shared by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that exercise 'Arctic Endurance' does not pose a threat to anyone and that the countries stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
The statement highlighted that the threat of tariffs undermines transatlantic relations and risks a dangerous downward spiral
On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom and other European countries unless they agree to sell Greenland.
In his post, Trump claimed the move is necessary for national security, citing China's and Russia's interest in the territory.
He offered to negotiate with the European nations but warned of escalating tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal wasn't reached, stating it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland are the countries Trump mentioned in his post, which are now under fire from his tariff threats.
— ANI
Reader Comments
From an Indian perspective, it's interesting to watch. We have our own border and sovereignty concerns. This heavy-handed approach by the US undermines the very international rules-based order it helped create. Not a good precedent for smaller nations anywhere.
"Time for Denmark to give back"? Seriously? What colonial mindset is this? You can't just demand territory because you feel like it. The joint statement by the European countries is the right response. Solidarity is key. 👏
The economic threat is worrying. A 25% tariff would hurt businesses and consumers on both sides. Hope sense prevails in Davos. The world has enough trade tensions already. We in India know the impact of such policies all too well.
Respectfully, while the method is wrong, the concern isn't. The Arctic is becoming a strategic hotspot. Maybe NATO and the US should focus on a proper security partnership for the region instead of these threats. The goal of keeping China & Russia in check is valid.
It feels like a distraction tactic before elections. Create an external crisis. But playing with global trade and alliances is dangerous. The people of Greenland's opinion matters most, and I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.