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The EU and Nato have taken a vow of silence over Greenland after Denmark requested its allies chorus from reacting to Donald Trump’s threats to grab the Arctic island.
Copenhagen’s technique of avoiding public confrontation with Trump, which 4 officers mentioned was carefully co-ordinated with Nato and the EU, underscores the scramble amongst US allies to work out how you can deal with the US president’s pugnacious diplomacy.
Trump had a fiery 45-minute cellphone name with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen final week, placing Copenhagen into what officers described as “disaster mode”. Trump has threatened to focus on tariffs towards Denmark and has refused to rule out taking the Arctic island by pressure.
Trump reiterated this weekend that he “will get” Greenland — an autonomous a part of the dominion of Denmark — whereas mocking Copenhagen’s “canine sleighs” defending the island, the place the US has the largest army presence.
The US, by way of Nato, is a army ally of Denmark with a mutual defence settlement. The EU’s governing treaty additionally accommodates a mutual defence clause.
Danish and European officers had initially hoped Trump’s feedback about taking Greenland have been a tactic to realize extra affect over the territory, which has elevated in significance as Russia and China search extra affect within the Arctic.
Officers in current days realised the scenario “ought to be taken way more significantly”, mentioned one, given the worldwide implications of Nato or the EU failing to sentence a violation of nationwide sovereignty by considered one of their allies.
However Danish, EU and Nato officers have thus far determined to minimise public dialogue due to Copenhagen’s deep sensitivities and its conclusion that brazenly difficult Trump will solely exacerbate the disaster.
“A low profile appears to be the most secure guess with Trump. Hopefully he can be distracted by one thing else,” mentioned one senior European official.
One other senior EU official mentioned: “We imagine a tit for tat strategy will not be helpful. [But] all of us stand by our primary ideas, resembling nationwide sovereignty and territorial integrity, that have to be revered. We’re prepared, and the Danes know that, to reaffirm that every time wanted.”
Frederiksen will on Tuesday go to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in Brussels in a whistle-stop diplomatic tour.
Frederiksen met her Norwegian and Swedish counterparts and Finland’s president in Copenhagen on Sunday evening, the place the problem of Greenland was raised in discussions.
No joint declaration was issued following the assembly. There have additionally been no efforts to co-ordinate Nato or EU statements in defence of Denmark or Greenland.
When requested about Trump’s Greenland feedback, Rutte informed the European parliament final week: “Trump has been proper many occasions . . . we have to dialogue with him.”
“This isn’t about who guidelines or controls Greenland,” Rutte continued. “That is, after all, about ensuring that the Arctic stays secure.” Neither the pinnacle of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, nor European Council president António Costa have made public statements concerning Trump’s threats towards Denmark.
“We’re not negotiating Greenland. We’re supporting our member state Denmark,” EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas mentioned on Monday after a gathering of the bloc’s international ministers. “We’re it from the facet of Europe, not reacting to what the US is doing.”
Behind the scenes senior officers in Brussels, Copenhagen and Nuuk are discussing how the bloc may strengthen its partnership with Greenland on essential uncooked supplies extraction and power, in response to two European officers briefed on the discussions.
“There’s numerous discreet work happening proper now to see how we will strengthen co-operation with Greenland,” mentioned one of many officers. They added the EU needed to keep away from showing just like the EU was making a proposal, after years of inaction, “as a result of Trump has put it on the agenda”.
Frederiksen’s authorities is “doing the correct factor in speaking to the Individuals in a agency however well mannered manner,” mentioned Rasmus Jarlov, a former Danish minister and present MP from the opposition Conservative occasion.
“It’s a good suggestion to not interact in verbal exchanges with the Trump administration. It’s a good suggestion to speak to allies in [the] remainder of Europe; Europe ought to stand collectively if the scenario ought to escalate,” he added.
Some officers have raised issues over whether or not Europe may provide any credible response to Trump appearing on his threats concerning Greenland.
“I’m not saying there’s no plan,” mentioned the second European official. “However we don’t actually have an alternate strategy.”
