On January 8, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that US President Trump's remarks have caused "great concern" within the EU, and discussions are underway on possible response measures.

She said: "Denmark has always been a reliable ally of the United States, and these remarks are not helpful to world stability. International law is clear, and it is the only guarantee protecting small countries."

According to Politico, a US political news website, European officials are no longer ignoring Trump's increasingly aggressive rhetoric and are urgently seeking solutions to prevent further actions.

The EU is now turning to international law!

EU foreign representative Kaja Kallas made multiple public statements around January 8, 2026, regarding the US military threat against Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland. The EU has activated an emergency consultation mechanism, and European countries are taking emergency action to discuss countermeasures.

On January 8, US President Trump claimed that the US must "own the entire Greenland," with the White House emphasizing that "all options remain open," including military means.

As a direct response, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, condemned the US action as "violating international law" and announced that the EU has activated an emergency consultation mechanism to respond to the military threat, calling on Europe to promote strategic autonomy. In parallel, Denmark announced an investment of 13.8 billion dollars to strengthen Greenland's defense, focusing on upgrading airport facilities to accommodate F-35 fighter jets.

EU Member States Unite in Statements

Foreign ministers from several European countries, including France and Germany, explicitly cited principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing that national sovereignty and territorial integrity are inviolable. Five countries - Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland - issued a joint statement, declaring that matters concerning Greenland are internal affairs of Denmark. Switzerland and the European Council also expressed support for Denmark's sovereignty. Kallas emphasized the need for EU unity: "When member states face difficulties, we will support each other."

The US views Greenland as a strategic pivot for controlling Arctic shipping routes, attempting to expand its influence through unilateral actions; the EU sees this as a challenge to its security framework, fearing that tolerating the US could trigger a chain reaction of sovereignty crises. Kallas pointed out that the new US government often uses "deal language," and the EU needs to respond with strength: "We also have some cards in our hand."

However, the EU has very few effective cards to counter the US, and the existing ones lack strength. Besides expressing protest and condemnation, what else can be done? Denmark's fighter jets are all purchased from the US. If the US is determined to occupy Greenland, not only Denmark cannot stop it, but the EU would also be powerless, merely able to express frustration. As for NATO, in Trump's words, without the US, NATO is nothing.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853875895084044/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.