“No One Else”: Trump’s Greenland Claim Sparks EU Trade Standoff

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump declared that only the United States can secure Greenland, intensifying tensions with Europe as EU–US trade negotiations stalled.

Trump ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland but insisted the territory was vital to U.S. missile defense systems. He described the takeover as “a small ask,” while warning Denmark and European allies that refusal would not be forgotten.

European leaders pushed back, with Denmark’s foreign minister saying Trump’s ambition remained “intact” despite his pledge not to use force. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed not to yield to U.S. pressure, while Sweden’s deputy PM urged the EU to “toughen up” against Washington.

The fallout has already hit trade talks. The European Parliament suspended work on a long-discussed EU–US trade deal, citing Trump’s tariff threats. Analysts warn the standoff could escalate into a full-blown trade war, fracturing transatlantic unity at a critical moment.

Markets reacted with relief after Trump ruled out military action, but experts say his broader worldview unsettles allies. The Greenland dispute has become a flashpoint, intertwining questions of sovereignty, security, and global economic stability.