A senior Trump administration official has issued a stark warning to European capitals, advising against any retaliatory measures in the escalating diplomatic row over Greenland. The caution comes just days after former President Donald Trump announced new punitive tariffs targeting several US allies.
Bessent's 'Very Unwise' Warning
Speaking on Monday 19 January 2026, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked about the potential for European countermeasures. He responded bluntly, stating, "I think it would be very unwise." Bessent revealed he had recently spoken with President Trump, noting "there are a lot of inbounds" from concerned parties and urging everyone to "take the president at his word."
The Treasury Secretary's remarks follow the controversial announcement made by Trump on Saturday. The former president declared a 10% import tax on eight nations that have publicly supported Denmark and Greenland's position. Among the countries targeted are key European partners like Norway.
European Unity and Danish Military Response
In the face of these economic threats, European leaders are presenting a united front. Finance ministers from both Germany and France have warned that the continent is preparing a clear and united response to Trump's aggressive trade policy linked to his attempts to purchase Greenland.
Simultaneously, Denmark has signalled a significant military shift. On Monday, the Danish government confirmed it is sending a "substantial contribution" of its Armed Forces to the Arctic region. This deployment is a direct reaction to the dual pressures of Trump's tariff threats and his renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
A Deepening Transatlantic Crisis
The situation marks a serious deterioration in transatlantic relations, with trade and defence policy becoming entangled in a historical territorial dispute. The European Union has explicitly threatened the US with retaliatory tariffs, setting the stage for a potential trade war.
Key developments in the ongoing crisis include:
- The US tariff imposition on Saturday targeting eight allied nations.
- The public warning from Treasury Secretary Bessent on Monday against European retaliation.
- The coordinated warning from German and French finance ministers regarding a unified European response.
- Denmark's decision to bolster its Arctic military presence as a direct consequence of the tensions.
As diplomatic channels buzz with activity, the international community watches closely. The dispute, centred on the strategic and resource-rich island of Greenland, now threatens to spill over into wider economic and security confrontations between long-standing allies.
