Donald Trump has dismissed concerns that his push for Greenland could undermine Nato, insisting in an interview that "things are going to work out very well." The US president refused to elaborate on how far he would go to seize the Arctic territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
European leaders have condemned what they describe as "new colonialism," with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen vowing not to abandon Greenland. Speaking to Danish media, Frederiksen said she was "not naive" about the escalating US rhetoric but stressed Denmark and Europe have "no other desire" than to maintain the transatlantic alliance. She also defended skipping the Davos summit, urging the public to trust the government's handling of the crisis.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces domestic criticism for her apparent deference to Trump. Opposition leaders accused her of "subservience," with centre-left politician Elly Schlein stating: "It is not enough to say Trump was wrong." Meloni, who attended Trump's inauguration, has positioned herself as a mediator, claiming she told the US president his threatened tariffs on European troops in Greenland were a "misunderstanding."
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added to the tension, refusing to comment on the Greenland issue directly but asserting: "The western hemisphere matters to the US." His remarks offered little reassurance to European allies already wary of Trump’s tariff threats, which could be affected by a pending US Supreme Court ruling on similar measures from last year.
As the European Council prepares for an emergency summit, Frederiksen emphasised the need to be ready for potential US tariffs by 1 February. The standoff highlights growing fractures in the Nato alliance, with EU members seeking a unified response to Washington's assertive stance on Greenland.
