European Council President António Costa announced that he has called for an emergency meeting of EU leaders in the coming days, a move reflecting the seriousness of escalating transatlantic tensions. This swift European action to coordinate a unified and firm response follows explicit threats by US President Donald Trump to impose punitive tariffs on European countries in response to their opposition to his efforts to annex Greenland.
Costa wrote on his official social media accounts: "Given the importance of current developments, and with the aim of greater coordination to ensure the protection of European interests, I have decided to call for an emergency meeting of the European Council." A diplomatic source in Brussels indicated that Costa is seriously considering holding this summit next Thursday, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.
NATO's future is at stake
In a related development, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen issued strong warnings, asserting that the current situation transcends a mere trade dispute and threatens the very core of the global order and the future of NATO. Rasmussen explained that linking security issues and strategic alliances to real estate deals or territorial ambitions puts allies in a precarious position, particularly given Washington's threats to use economic leverage against its traditional partners.
Background to American ambitions in Greenland
Trump's desire to buy Greenland is not a recent development. In 2019, during his first term, the US president sparked widespread controversy when he proposed purchasing the Danish crown island, describing it as a "great real estate deal." The offer was met with firm rejection from the Danish government and Greenlandic authorities, who affirmed that the island was "open for business and not for sale." Trump's renewed interest in this issue, this time couched in economic threats, appears to have transformed it from a controversial statement into a genuine diplomatic crisis.
The strategic importance of the polar island
Greenland's geopolitical importance extends far beyond its icy expanse. Strategically located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, it is vital to US national security, hosting the Thule Air Base. Furthermore, with the melting ice due to climate change, the island has become a focal point for major powers due to its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals essential for advanced technology industries and potential oil and gas reserves. This explains the US determination to exert influence there to counter Chinese and Russian expansion in the Arctic.
