BRUSSELS, Jan 18(Imran Saqib Ch/Correspondent LP) — European Council President António Costa reaffirmed the EU’s “full solidarity” with Denmark and Greenland after US President Donald Trump revived a proposal for the United States to acquire the Arctic territory. The move triggered an emergency summit of all 27 EU member states, convened by Costa, after Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Greenlandic mineral exports unless Copenhagen agreed to sovereignty negotiations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed the unified European response, calling Washington’s pressure “economic coercion” and a violation of international law.
EU Issues Greenland Sovereignty Declaration
At the extraordinary meeting on 17 January, EU leaders adopted the Greenland Sovereignty Declaration, reaffirming Denmark’s constitutional authority, the powers of the Greenlandic government (Naalakkersuisut), and the principles of territorial integrity and self‑determination under the UN Charter.
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič outlined plans to activate EU trade‑defence instruments to protect the €2.8 billion annual flow of fisheries products, rare earth minerals and pharmaceuticals between the EU and Greenland. He confirmed that the Commission is preparing WTO dispute‑settlement proceedings and potential safeguard measures to preserve market access.
Costa: ‘Europe will remain united’
Costa stressed the EU’s position in a statement posted on X, warning that tariff threats risked destabilising transatlantic relations:
“Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole. We have consistently underlined our shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone. The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US. Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.”
Costa added that the EU remains committed to supporting the ongoing diplomatic process between Copenhagen and Washington.
Denmark and Greenland Reject US Pressure
Prime Minister Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland’s mineral resources fall under the authority of the Naalakkersuisut and that neither Denmark nor Greenland would enter sovereignty negotiations under threat. Greenlandic officials likewise asserted their exclusive control over natural resources and rejected any linkage between trade access and territorial status.
EU Prepares Defensive Measures
EU institutions are now coordinating:
- activation of trade‑defence tools
- WTO consultations
- protection of EU‑Greenland fisheries and pharmaceutical trade
- accelerated implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act
- Danish parliamentary authorisation for defensive trade measures
The White House has not yet commented on the EU’s declaration, though US National Security Council officials are reportedly coordinating an interagency response.
