04:42 20-01-2026

EU Fears Trump May Seek More Territory After Greenland

By Arlington National Cemetery - https://www.flickr.com/photos/60564189@N06/52827256711/, Public Domain, Link

Wall Street Journal reports EU leaders fear that if Trump gains control over Greenland he could target other European territories, threatening NATO security.

Reporters at The Wall Street Journal write that a number of European Union leaders fear that if the United States manages to establish control over Greenland, US president Donald Trump could then lay claim to other European territories as well. In their assessment, this scenario would undermine the principle of territorial inviolability for NATO member states and could also affect the course of the conflict in Ukraine.

According to the newspaper, several EU leaders, many of them also members of NATO, are concerned that if the bloc effectively allows Trump to take control of Greenland, other parts of Europe could become the next targets.

On 18 January, EU leaders held an emergency meeting to coordinate a common response to Trump’s statements about the possible introduction of new tariffs. The trigger for these threats was the decision by a number of European countries to send military contingents to Greenland.

French daily Le Monde reported, citing people in Emmanuel Macron’s inner circle, that the French president is seeking to activate a special mechanism against the United States, known as the «trade bazooka». This tool would involve not only reciprocal tariff hikes, but also restrictions on the participation of American companies in public procurement and investment projects, as well as tighter export controls.

Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom. Trump has repeatedly said he believes the island should come under Washington’s control. The authorities of Denmark and Greenland have warned the United States against any attempt to seize the territory by force.