EU’s von der Leyen warns of ‘downward spiral’ in US ties over Trump’s Greenland push, as leaders prepare emergency summit and Davos talks.
DAVOS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has vowed an “unflinching” response to Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland. She warned the US president risked plunging transatlantic ties into a “downward spiral” over the autonomous Danish territory.
“The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies,” von der Leyen told the World Economic Forum. “Plunging us into a downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape. So our response will be unflinching, united and proportional,” she said.
Trump pressed on with his campaign on his Truth Social platform. He posted a fake photo of himself planting a flag next to a sign reading “GREENLAND – US TERRITORY EST. 2026”.
He later wrote he had a “very good” call with NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte over mineral-rich Greenland. “I agreed to a meeting of the various parties in Davos, Switzerland,” he said.
The US president said he did not think European leaders would “push back too much” on his attempt to buy the vast island. Trump has used the argument of protecting Greenland from perceived Russian and Chinese threats as a key justification.
EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Greenland in Brussels on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron will also address the forum, with his relations with Trump having hit a new low.
The US leader threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne over France’s intention to decline an invitation to join his “Board of Peace”. Trump confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of various world leaders invited to join.
Macron has instead sent a message to Trump to propose a G7 summit in Paris on Thursday on Greenland. The Kremlin said Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev plans to meet members of the US delegation in Davos.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, whose country has been locked in a trade war with Trump, also addressed the WEF. “A select few countries should not have privileges based on self-interest, and the world cannot revert to the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak,” He said, without naming any country.
