Journalists at The Washington Post report that European politicians are now seriously weighing new options for how to respond to the United States. According to the article, the European Union has failed to win over US President Donald Trump — neither flattery nor lucrative trade offers have managed to change his stance.

The piece notes that most European leaders would still prefer to avoid an open confrontation with Washington. However, Trump’s statements and threats have stirred such anger across the continent that an increasing number of politicians are convinced Europe must «show its teeth» to the US or risk being «eaten».

Vice President of the European Parliament Javi López is cited as saying that Europe can protect its sovereignty — «from Ukraine to Greenland» — only by reducing its dependence, strengthening deterrence and making full use of its most powerful asset: access to the world’s largest single market.

The report also recalls that on 5 January 2026, Trump declared that the United States intended to secure control over Greenland, framing this as a step to protect US national security. He pointed to «Russian and Chinese ships» allegedly operating near the island as a threat. At the same time, Danish authorities stated that there were no Russian or Chinese vessels off Greenland’s coast.