European leaders are bracing for a critical summit on Thursday, as tensions with the United States over Greenland escalate. The crisis, sparked by Donald Trump's renewed demands to acquire the territory from Denmark, has raised fears of a rift within NATO. Trump has threatened tariffs on eight European countries that deployed troops to the Arctic, with punitive measures set to take effect from 1 February if his demands are not met.
In a rambling speech at Davos on Wednesday, Trump ruled out military force but insisted on 'immediate negotiations' to secure Greenland, claiming only the US is capable of doing so. The Belgian prime minister, Bart De Wever, highlighted the surreal nature of the crisis, noting that 'a NATO country is threatening another NATO country with military invasion.'
The EU has prepared retaliatory tariffs on €93bn of US goods, including soya and bourbon, and MEPs have suspended ratification of the EU-US trade deal. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the use of the EU's anti-coercion instrument (ACI), a powerful trade weapon that could block US companies from operating in the single market. However, diplomats say the bloc remains divided, with Germany and Italy favouring dialogue over confrontation.
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the situation as Europe's 'moment of truth,' while analysts warn that the EU's ability to present a united front will be tested in the coming days. The summit is seen as a potential turning point, as leaders weigh the risks of escalation against the need to defend European sovereignty.
