Europe Shifts Strategy Amid Trump's Greenland Controversy

Wed Jan 21 2026 09:41:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As tensions escalate over U.S. claims on Greenland, European leaders abandon their softer approach towards President Trump, emphasizing a stronger stance on economic and geopolitical matters.

European leaders are reconsidering their diplomatic tactics in response to President Trump's insistence on acquiring Greenland for U.S. national security. Following his threats of punitive tariffs on EU exports, officials from Germany and France have expressed their resolve against such intimidation. With the deterioration of what was once a congenial relationship, Europe must balance its need for U.S. security alongside its position on international sovereignty and economic sanctions. The upcoming World Economic Forum marks a critical juncture for transatlantic relations as Europe adopts a more assertive stance in the face of U.S. aggression.

Something in Europe has snapped.

Donald Trump doubled down again on Monday night in his insistence that the US has to have Greenland for national security reasons.

He predicted that European leaders aren't gonna push back too much. But that's not the plan they have in mind when their paths cross with the US president at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark - a member of the EU and of Nato.

President Trump is now leaning heavily on Denmark's allies in both those organizations to abandon Copenhagen and let the US take control of Greenland, or face punitive taxes on all their exports to the United States.

It's a horror scenario for European economies, which are already in the doldrums, especially those reliant on exporting to the US like Germany's car industry and Italy's luxury goods market.

On Monday Germany's finance minister said “we will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” after an emergency meeting ahead of the WEF with his French counterpart.

The Trump threats landed like a slap in the face of European governments, who had only just settled tariff deals with the US president last year.

His German counterpart, Lars Klingbeil, stated, A line has been crossed... You'll understand that today I'm not saying exactly what will happen. But one thing must be clear: Europe must be prepared.

European leaders are telling President Trump they'll support him in prioritizing Arctic security, so there's no need for him to go it alone over Greenland.

These retaliatory measures would most likely have a knock-on effect on US consumers too. The EU has a weak voice on the world stage of international diplomacy but has immense economic clout, making it imperative for the US to reconsider its aggressive stance.

Transatlantic relations aren't broken yet, though they are damaged. With the upcoming WEF, Europe will need to present a unified front while navigating the complexities of international relations with the US.