In a dramatic turn of events, the European Union (EU) has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating transatlantic relations with the United States (US) following a dispute over Greenland. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that the relations have “taken a big blow over the last week” as leaders from the bloc gathered for an emergency summit.
The tensions arose after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 10% tariffs on eight European nations that resisted a US takeover of Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of Denmark. Although Trump later abandoned his tariff threat, the EU deemed the summit necessary to discuss the wider transatlantic relationship with a volatile and unpredictable US president.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hailed EU unity and the bloc’s “willingness to stand up for ourselves,” stressing that Danish sovereignty was not up for discussion. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment, calling for Europe to “remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trump’s change of heart, expressing gratitude that the US president had “distanced himself from his original plans to take over Greenland” and refrained from imposing additional tariffs.
However, the tensions extend beyond the Greenland dispute. The European Parliament signalled its readiness to reconsider its decision to freeze the ratification of the EU-US trade deal, one of the bloc’s strongest responses to Trump’s tariff threats. The parliament is now set to resume discussions on the trade agreement following Trump’s tariff reversal.
The EU’s concerns also extend to Trump’s proposed “board of peace,” which is seen as a potential rival to the United Nations. While Hungary and Bulgaria have accepted the invitation to join, a “very large majority” of EU member states have declined, fearing the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted for war crimes against Ukraine.
Summing up the transatlantic relationship, the EU official described it as a “very strong, but certainly more complex relationship with the US,” marked by disagreements, tensions, and points of cooperation. The official added, “We have to live with the new complexity.”
As the EU and the US navigate these turbulent waters, the bloc’s leaders have stressed the importance of maintaining a united front and standing up for their interests, even in the face of an unpredictable and sometimes confrontational US administration.
