LONDON (The Thursday Times) — Seven European nations including France, Germany and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for Denmark and Greenland, signalling a united front amid rising tensions with the United States over trade and Arctic security.
In the statement, released on Saturday, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said they remained committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest under NATO. The countries described recent Danish military exercises in the Arctic as defensive in nature and posing no threat to any state.
The declaration comes as relations between Washington and European capitals grow increasingly strained following tariff threats linked to broader geopolitical disagreements, including Greenland’s sovereignty and the strategic balance in the Arctic. European officials have expressed concern that economic pressure risks escalating into a wider confrontation that could damage long standing alliances.
The allies said they stood in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, emphasising that sovereignty and territorial integrity were principles they firmly upheld. They added that they were prepared to engage in dialogue but only on the basis of mutual respect for those principles.
In unusually direct language, the statement warned that tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk triggering a dangerous downward spiral. The countries pledged to remain united and coordinated in their response while reaffirming their commitment to defending their sovereignty.
The coordinated message reflects growing unease in European capitals about the direction of US policy under President Donald Trump, particularly the linking of trade measures to security and territorial disputes. While European leaders continue to stress the importance of dialogue with Washington, the tone of the statement suggests diminishing tolerance for what they view as economic coercion.
Analysts say the joint declaration marks a significant moment for Europe’s collective posture, combining defence, diplomacy and trade into a single message of resolve. Whether the warning leads to de escalation or a deeper rift in transatlantic relations may depend on whether both sides are willing to step back from confrontation in the coming weeks.
