The 'EU' says stop to Donald Trump's string of harsh statements: 'We will not allow it'

Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission, responded to questions regarding Trump's statements on Greenland during a daily press briefing in Brussels.

Noting that she would "not go into details" regarding Trump's remarks, Hipper stated, "Our policy on this matter, as a matter of principle for us, is clear: the sovereignty of states must be respected. This is also our diplomatic value and the fundamental principle we work upon."

Hipper further expressed that they "look forward to working with the next US administration for a stronger transatlantic agenda."

Spokesperson Olof Gill commented that reactions and concerns regarding Trump's statements were "hypothetical," saying, "Let's stay calm. We are talking about quite far-fetched assumptions regarding an administration that has not yet taken office."

Gill stated, "Our priority is to find ways of mutually beneficial cooperation with the new administration on both sides of the Atlantic, and we are prepared to defend our interests in trade and other areas as necessary."

"ARE YOU EXPECTING US MARINES TO LAND IN GREENLAND?"

Meanwhile, journalists who were not satisfied with the spokespersons' answers continued to ask questions on the matter. One journalist compared Trump's statements to those made by Russia before the war in Ukraine began in 2022.

In response, Paula Pinho, Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, replied, "I do not want to compare this situation to what is happening in Ukraine."

While Pinho confirmed that any military action against Greenland, an autonomous region belonging to EU member Denmark, would trigger the "mutual assistance" clause in Article 42 of the EU Treaty, he refused to assess whether there was a risk of the US "taking control" of Greenland, describing questions on the matter as "very theoretical."

One of the media members attending the meeting criticized the EU's stance on Trump's statements, saying, "You say sovereignty is paramount, but you won't comment on a very clear threat from the new US president. I find this hard to understand; I mean, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for US Marines to land in Greenland?"

Trump, who is preparing to take office in the US, reiterated his rhetoric that Greenland should be under US control in a post on his Truth Social account on December 23, 2024, arguing that possessing ownership and control of the island is an "absolute necessity."

REACTION FROM FRANCE: 'WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated in a broadcast on France Inter radio, "It is out of the question for the EU to allow other nations in the world, whoever they may be, to attack their own sovereign borders."

Regarding Trump's statements that Greenland should be under US control, Barrot said he did not believe the US would "invade" Greenland.

STATEMENT FROM DENMARK

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen made statements to the press regarding Trump's remarks on Greenland. Rasmussen said, "I do not think we are in any kind of foreign policy crisis (with the US)."

Expressing his impression that Trump is focusing more on the North Pole, Rasmussen stated, "I think we can all do ourselves a favor and lower the pulse a little."

HE HINTED HE COULD USE MILITARY FORCE

Trump had hinted that he could use military force to control Greenland. When asked yesterday whether he could commit to not using military force to control the Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump replied, "No, I cannot give you assurances (that I will not use military force) regarding those two. Maybe we might need to do something. We need them for our economic security."

Arguing that the Panama Canal was built for the U.S. military but is currently operated by China, Trump said, "The Panama Canal is vital to our country. We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, but today it is operated by China. We did not give it to China."

"GREENLAND IS NOT FOR SALE"

These remarks by Trump drew reactions from many quarters, especially from Greenlandic officials.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede emphasized that Greenland is "not for sale," stating, "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We will not lose our long-standing struggle for freedom."

Continuing his statements about "taking control" of Greenland, Trump had hinted on January 6 that he could use military force if necessary to control the Panama Canal and Greenland.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump had stated, "I cannot give you any guarantees regarding these two. Perhaps we may need to do something. We need them for our economic security."

In response to Trump's latest remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that her government's and her own perspective were clear, saying, "The future of Greenland will be determined in Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Another reaction to Trump's statements came from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Barrot shared the view that, "It is out of the question for the EU to allow other nations in the world, whoever they may be, to attack their own sovereign borders."