Europe firm on Greenland as Trump 'mocks leaders'
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- European leaders push for independence as Trump mocks their weakness over Greenland.
- Tensions rise ahead of Trump’s arrival at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
European leaders expressed determination to resist US pressure over Greenland and other issues, even as President Donald Trump ridiculed them, calling them weak. The tensions highlight growing transatlantic friction ahead of Trump’s participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Rising European resolve
Axios reported that allies of the US see Washington’s push for control over Greenland, a Danish territory, as a warning that the old international order may be collapsing. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said, “There is a big difference between being a happy follower and a miserable slave. If you yield now, you lose your dignity.”
Read more: Europe plans summit after Trump threatens Greenland tariffs
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged permanent independence from the United States, warning that simply waiting for a post-Trump era would deepen Europe’s weakness.
Economic leverage and potential retaliation
The EU is reportedly considering retaliatory tariffs worth $109 billion. French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc “should not hesitate” to use the “anti-coercion tool,” originally designed to counter Chinese economic pressure.
Macron left Davos early, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen opted not to attend. Attendance by German and British leaders at a Trump-NATO Secretary General meeting remains uncertain. Axios described the diplomatic rift as a “major divorce” at the forum.
Trump’s mockery
Ahead of Davos, Trump mocked European leaders, while some aides reportedly share a dismissive view of Europe as weak, bureaucratic, and dominated by liberal elites. The New York Times noted that the Trump administration’s recent National Security Strategy criticized Europe for losing “civilizational confidence” and focusing on bureaucratic dead ends.
On Tuesday, Trump posted a satirical AI-generated image showing him standing on Greenland raising the US flag, signaling his irreverent stance.
Analysts say growing doubts about US reliability are pushing European leaders toward a more unified approach to reduce dependency on Washington. The dispute underscores the fragility of transatlantic relations amid an unpredictable US foreign policy.
