California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticizes European leaders’ response to Greenland at Davos, while EU vows to defend interests against U.S. pressure.
Newsom’s Message to European Leaders
California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a stark message to European leaders at the Davos Economic Forum regarding Greenland, telling them to “wake up,” take the situation seriously, and “stand firm.” The Democrat expressed his inability to “stand this subservience” and stated that he “should have brought knee pads for world leaders,” describing their position as “just pathetic.”
Newsom added that he hopes people understand how “pathetically they look on the international stage,” calling it “shameful.” He also characterized negotiations with Donald Trump as dealing with a “T-rex: either you mate with him or he eats you.” According to Sky News, Newsom aspires to become a politician that “Europe will look to in the future as someone who fights Trumpism.”
EU Responds to Trump’s Greenland Demands
The European Union is not interested in starting a conflict with the United States but is determined to defend its interests, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Kallas addressed Trump’s threats of additional tariffs on countries supporting Greenland, expressing solidarity with the island.
“Greenland belongs to its residents. No threats or clauses will change that. Sovereignty is not negotiable,” Kallas stated, rejecting Trump’s claims to the territory. She emphasized that “no state has the right to seize territory from another state – neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world.”
Kallas noted that Trump’s threats have created a situation the Union has never experienced before, adding that “tariff threats will not force Denmark to hand over Greenland.” She warned that such measures could only lead to “impoverishment of Europe and the United States” and “weakening of our shared prosperity.” The EU is not interested in provoking conflict but will defend its position calmly and firmly, she stated, mentioning that NATO stands ready to address any security concerns regarding the island.