Transcription
Today, Donald Trump took a big step closer to his plans to try and annex Greenland, announcing a 10% tariff on a raft of European countries, which will ultimately rise to 25% until such time as the sale of Greenland to the US is complete. The leaders of those countries don't seem willing to take this imperialistic escalation lying down as they posted a series of statements condemning the move.
Emanuel Mcron, the president of France, wrote, "France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations in Europe as elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our attachment to the United Nations and to our charter. It is on this basis that we support and will continue to support Ukraine and that we have built a coalition of the willing for a robust and lasting peace to defend these principles and our security. It is also on this basis that we have decided to join the exercise decided by Denmark and Greenland. We stand by this decision especially because it concerns security in the Arctic and at the frontiers of our Europe. No intimidation or threat will influence us neither in Ukraine nor in Greenland nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations. Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty. It is in this spirit that I will speak with our European partners."
The prime minister of the UK, Kier Starmer, wrote, "Our position on Greenland is very clear. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. We have also made clear the Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address this threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic. Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."
The Swedish prime minister wrote, "We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those being singled out." Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.
The president of Finland wrote, "Among allies, issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure. Strengthening Arctic security together with allies is very important for Finland. This is also the purpose of the Danishled and allied coordinated action in Greenland. European countries stand united. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland. Dialogue with the United States continues. tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral."
And while not European, here's the prime minister of Canada. >> The future of Greenland is a decision for the for Greenland and uh for the Kingdom of Denmark. Uh we are NATO partners uh with Denmark. Uh and so our full partnership uh stands uh our obligations on art article 5, article 2 of NATO stand and we stand full square behind them. >>
And of course, here's the prime minister of Greenland. Get early for big eyes. I would say ste NATO Denmark EUP.
In other words, Europeans and NATO nations and Greenland itself are united in opposition to the annexation of Greenland to the United States. Not just because they respect the sovereignty of Greenland, but also because Donald Trump's annexation of a fellow NATO ally effectively kills NATO. NATO is the postworld war II alliance that has led to the longest period of peace and prosperity in world history. If one NATO ally decides to invade another NATO ally, then NATO is as good as gone. Which means that this wouldn't be the end of the invasions, it would be the beginning. It would be a green light for big countries to invade smaller countries with impunity, as China is want to do against Taiwan, by the way, and also a green light for NATO's adversaries to attack NATO countries, recognizing that the alliance will have broken down. It's not alarmist to say that Donald Trump's actions here could usher in some iteration of global conflict all under the guise of peace.
And the statements from these world leaders aren't the only weapon that they're exercising. The EU is also now poised to halt their US trade deal over these threats underscored by this tweet by Valerie Herer, a French politician serving as a member of the European Parliament. She wrote, quote, "The threats by President Donald Trump to impose increased customs duties on states refusing to agree with his plan to annex Greenland are unacceptable. These announcements follow many other aggressive actions toward the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU US Turnberry trade deal. Furthermore, the EU should be prepared to deploy targeted and proportionate countermeasures. The activation of the EU anti-coercion instrument should be explicitly considered as it was designed precisely for situations of economic intimidation of this nature."
In other words, this trade deal is likely DOA when it comes time to vote on ratification, which frankly on their part is smart because these heartball tactics are all Trump understands. The usual appeals to the sovereignty of a foreign country are going to fall on deaf ears with Donald Trump. He doesn't care what laws and deals he violates because he is lawless. The only way to deal with him is to use the same tactics that he uses. And if that means exacting economic pain on the US at the hands of our biggest trading partner, the EU, then that's what they should do. Remember too, Donald Trump thinks that tariffs are a punishment on foreign countries and have no impact here at home. That is dead wrong. Tariffs are a tax paid by American consumers. And with prices already rising in the US, and with American consumers already super sensitive about affordability, the pain is going to be especially acute here in America. And the pressure on Donald Trump then will only grow heavier and heavier.
It's worth noting too that even the people of Greenland are standing up to Trump's saber rattling. Here's what Greenland looked like today as a big protest broke out in the capital. Relax. Sorry. I was also looking forward Tonight. >>
So I say this as an American. The EU and the rest of the world need to stand united. We cannot enter a second era of imperialism. And that starts with deterring Donald Trump right now. The vast vast majority of this country, the United States, already agrees with you. But that pressure needs to be felt everywhere. Needs to be felt here at home. Needs to be felt on every corner of the globe. I can assure you it'll be easier to speak out and act now than after his appetite is wetted by annexing a foreign country. Do not allow yourself to be bullied by some petty tyrant.
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