Standing as much as ‘bullies’ works: EU chief says Europe was ‘profitable in being agency’ amid Trump’s U-Turn on Greenland… however transatlantic relations took a ‘huge blow’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has praised Europe for ‘being firm’ against the US as the continent heaved a sigh of relief after Donald Trump backed down from threatening to invade Greenland.
Speaking at an emergency summit of European leaders in Brussels on Thursday, the European Commission president said ‘we were successful in being firm’ as the US president backtracked amid fears of ‘trade bazooka’.
European leaders met in the Belgian capital on Thursday following a tense World Economic Forum in Davos.
It was convened after the US threatened steep tariffs and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats.
Trump sparked anger after saying Nato troops stayed ‘a little off the front lines’ during the war in Afghanistan.
He also stoked transatlantic tension on Wednesday as he told Europe they would all be speaking German ‘and a little Japanese’ without the US, before doubling down on his demands for Greenland.
Despite avoiding a diplomatic disaster, Trump’s threats badly shook Europe’s confidence in its partner, EU officials and leaders said.
‘Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week,’ the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said as she arrived at the meeting.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, pictured as she delivered a speech after an emergency meeting, has praised Europe for ‘being firm’ against the US and Donald Trump
Trump sparked anger after saying Nato troops stayed ‘a little off the front lines’ during the war in Afghanistan
‘Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week,’ the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said
But she added: ‘Europe is not willing to junk 80 years of good transatlantic relations because of disagreements … we are willing to invest our time and energy in this.’
The EU ‘will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion,’ European Council chief Antonio Costa said.
Most leaders said the relationship with the United States remained key for the EU and it was one they were ready to work hard to maintain – while expecting hard work, and respect, from Washington as well.
They agreed they want an EU-US trade deal to be back on track after the European Parliament suspended its ratification in protest over US pressure to acquire Greenland.
While saying they want to work on strengthening the transatlantic cooperation, the EU leaders warned that they were ready to act if Trump was to threaten them again.
‘Things are quietening down and we should welcome that,’ French President Emmanuel Macron said.
‘We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again,’ Macron said, referring to ‘bazooka’ trade sanctions the bloc had considered using.
Speaking on Thursday in Davos, Ms von der Leyen said Europe needed to prepare its own security strategy without relying on the US.
The emergency meeting was convened after the US threatened steep tariffs and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Donald Trump announce a deal in Davos to stave off fears of a diplomatic disaster
‘The world has changed permanently, we need to change it,’ the EU chief said.
‘I believe Europe needs to adjust to the new security architecture and realities that we are now facing.
‘This is why Europe is preparing its own security strategy, which we plan to publish later this year. As part of this, we are upgrading our Arctic strategy.
‘Europe must speed up its push for independence – from security to economy, from defence to democracy. The point is that the world has changed permanently. We need to change with it.’
The EU chief added: ‘When it comes to the security of the Arctic region, Europe is fully committed.
‘And we share the objectives of the United States in this regard. For instance, Finland – one of the newest NATO members – is selling its first icebreakers to the US. This shows that we have the capability right here.’
