The EU held an emergency meeting on the series of impacts caused by the U.S. attempt to seize Greenland, reaching a unified position: Greenland will not be sold, opposing the use of tariffs as a weapon, willing to dialogue with the U.S., and planning to hold an emergency meeting at the level of heads of government next.
The EU convened an emergency meeting in Brussels on January 18, 2026, to discuss how to respond to President Trump's pressure to "purchase" Greenland Island by increasing tariffs. The meeting was led by representatives of EU member states and the European Council, discussing countermeasures, including possible retaliatory tariffs on $93 billion worth of American goods or restricting American companies from entering the EU market.
Several European countries strongly condemned the U.S. actions, calling it "economic blackmail," which violates international law and the principle of sovereignty. Eight countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, issued a joint statement emphasizing that Greenland Island's sovereignty belongs to Denmark and its people, and opposing any form of coercion. The EU is considering activating the "anti-coercion tool" as a response, a mechanism allowing trade retaliation and market restrictions without going through World Trade Organization procedures.
Additionally, some European countries have dispatched military groups to Greenland to strengthen their presence in the Arctic, while NATO is also drafting plans to enhance regional defense cooperation. Although no military confrontation has been taken yet, the relationship between the U.S. and Europe faces a serious test, and trust within the transatlantic alliance continues to weaken.
The EU plans to hold a special summit on January 22 to further coordinate positions and accelerate the promotion of "strategic autonomy," seeking cooperation with countries like China to balance U.S. pressure, such as recent calls between Chinese and Finnish foreign ministers signaling cooperation.
This conflict goes beyond trade friction, essentially a zero-sum game between U.S. unilateral hegemony and European sovereignty interests. Regardless of who owns Greenland Island, the trust foundation of transatlantic allies has been severely damaged, and the global multipolarization process has further accelerated.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854754218451968/
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