EU leaders respond to US pressure over Greenland, with Tusk warning against weakness and Newsom criticizing European subservience.
Tusk: Europe Cannot Afford Weakness
On Tuesday, January 20, Donald Tusk posted on the X platform that “concessions are always a sign of weakness.” “Europe cannot afford weakness – neither towards enemies nor towards allies. Appeasement brings no results, only humiliation. European firmness and self-confidence have become a necessity of the moment” – reads the prime minister’s post.
Newsom Criticizes European Response
In a similar tone on the same day at the Economic Forum in Davos, California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke. He criticized Europe’s cautious reaction to Greenland. “I should have brought a whole stack of knee pads for world leaders. It’s just pathetic. I hope people understand how pitiful they look on the international stage. It’s a shame” – said Newsom and added that he “cannot stand this subservience.”
European Parliament Debate on Greenland
A debate on Greenland was held in Strasbourg and – as reported by Polish Radio’s Brussels correspondent Beata Płomecka – there was a rarely seen consensus between pro-European and Eurosceptic forces. “Mr. President Trump, regardless of threats, Greenland is not for sale” – said Danish Socialist MEP Christel Schaldemose.
Jordan Bardella from the extreme, Eurosceptic right also criticized US actions. “The European Union cannot remain silent. This is not about escalation, but about defending sovereignty. We don’t want to be vassals, we want to be masters of our own destiny” – he emphasized. “Hands off Greenland” – said Danish Green MEP Villy Sovndal.
Extraordinary European Council Summit
On Thursday, January 22, an extraordinary summit of the European Council will be held due to US claims on Greenland. President Antonio Costa emphasized that EU states support Denmark and Greenland, show solidarity with them, and unanimously assess that the tariffs threatened by Trump would weaken transatlantic relations.