Regarding Greenland, President Karol Nawrocki urged some Western European partners to temper their hostility towards the USA, emphasizing that such actions are unnecessary for NATO and the European Union. He expressed optimism that US President Donald Trump‘s comments might lead to a diplomatic resolution.
The USA’s interest in acquiring Greenland was a key topic in Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday. Notably, he dismissed the idea of using force, advocating for negotiations instead and warning that a negative response would be remembered. However, he later retracted his threat to impose a 10 percent tariff on goods from eight European countries that had decided to send military representatives to Greenland.
During a press conference in Davos on Thursday, President Nawrocki was asked if he felt reassured by Trump’s statements. He stated he had not been worried and believed that “we all contributed to unnecessary tensions, including in Europe, via the visit of NATO soldiers from the European Union to Greenland.”
He expressed that he did not feel threatened by potential conflicts within NATO concerning Greenland, especially given that NATO is financed “65 percent by the United States” amid numerous global threats.
Nawrocki noted that Trump’s remarks on Wednesday “provide hope” for a diplomatic solution between Denmark and the USA that also considers the interests of Greenland’s inhabitants and authorities. He maintained from the outset that he was confident a resolution would occur this way.
“I do not feel reassured; rather, I believe some of our Western European partners should ease their gestures of hostility towards the United States, which are unnecessary for either the North Atlantic Alliance or the European Union. Poland will certainly not align with these countries,” he stated.
Last Saturday, Trump announced plans to impose 10 percent tariffs on eight European countries due to their position on US claims regarding Greenland. On Wednesday, he mentioned that after a “very productive meeting” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a framework for a future agreement on Greenland and the Arctic was established. Consequently, he decided not to impose the tariffs, which were set to take effect on February 1. Trump also mentioned ongoing discussions about the American defense system known as the Golden Dome in relation to Greenland.
Rutte indicated on Fox News that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was not addressed in his discussions with President Trump, adding that there was mutual agreement on the need for collective protection of the Arctic region.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated on Thursday that Denmark and Greenland will maintain a constructive dialogue concerning Arctic security, provided it respects her country’s territorial integrity. (22.01.26)
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