France’s foreign minister declared the European Union will stand firm against the possibility of President-elect Trump using force to claim Greenland.
Key Facts:
– French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the EU will protect its borders from any armed attempt to seize Greenland.
– Trump suggested he might resort to military or economic actions to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.
– Danish leaders reaffirmed Greenland is not for sale and will determine its own future.
– Trump’s remarks follow earlier statements about Greenland’s strategic and economic importance to the U.S.
– Trump Jr. traveled to Greenland this week, meeting residents and sharing videos on social media.
The Rest of The Story:
Trump has expressed interest in Greenland for some time, calling it vital to U.S. security and economic goals.
He also hinted he would pressure Panama to give up the Panama Canal, which was transferred from U.S. control in 1977.
When asked on Tuesday if he could assure the world that he would not use military or economic coercion, he declined to give a definite answer.
Responding to concerns about a forced takeover, French Foreign Minister Barrot stated, “It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries…attack its sovereign borders.”
He also noted that he doubts any invasion would actually occur but believes the world has entered a period where nations put their own security above all else.
Greenland’s government and Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, responded by asserting that Greenland is not for sale.
Frederiksen pointed to strong public support among Greenlanders for maintaining their current status and stressed that the island will shape its own future.
Trump’s stance has also sparked calls from some Greenlanders who say they are open to a deal, fueling questions about how the U.S. could best protect the region’s resources.
The trip by Donald Trump Jr. to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, shows the Trump family’s continued interest and perhaps a starting point for more negotiations in the future.
BREAKING:
The EU ”won’t tolerate" a takeover of Greenland by the US. France says Europe is a strong continent and won’t be intimidated. It’s warning Trump against threatening the bloc's "sovereign borders"
Source: Telegraph pic.twitter.com/hKPBniOhcV
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 8, 2025
The Bottom Line:
French leaders are warning the U.S. not to cross a line when it comes to European territories.
Meanwhile, Trump’s willingness to keep all options on the table has created tension with Denmark and the EU.
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How this situation unfolds could reshape alliances and influence global strategies in the Arctic and beyond.