Outrage is mounting in Europe over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff blueprint aimed at nations deploying to Greenland. Dutch FM David van Weel blasted it as ‘blackmail’—a move that’s ‘incomprehensible’ and ‘improper’ toward partners.
On the popular Sunday program ‘WNAL op Zondag,’ he rallied for its cancellation: ‘We need to ensure this crazy scheme gets axed.’ Allies deserve better than coercion, he insisted.
The Netherlands stands firm, keeping its preparatory pair in Greenland for NATO activities and gearing up for larger reinforcements once underway, details forthcoming.
Spotlight shifts to Davos for the World Economic Forum, where Trump’s presence looms large. ‘Lots of prep ahead,’ van Weel noted, ‘starting with nixing this nonsense.’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen decried the 10% levies as harbingers of a ‘perilous slide’ in U.S.-Europe harmony.
Trump vented on Truth Social: Tariffs slap all products from sender countries February 1, jumping to 25% by June if no Greenland deal materializes.
Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans kicked it off by announcing two troops for Denmark’s Greenland effort, eyed as NATO rehearsal groundwork.
With Arctic melting unlocking new frontiers, Trump’s ploy spotlights clashing interests. Can Davos diplomacy defuse the tariff timebomb and preserve unity?