Recent statements by the US president about Greenland have prompted responses from European political leaders. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from various groups across the democratic political spectrum of the parliament have expressed their views on President Donald Trump’s assertions about Greenland, a Danish territory under the jurisdiction of the European Union. This response has become particularly relevant in light of Trump’s warnings of potential additional tariffs on imports as a means of penalising EU member states for their support of Denmark and Greenland.
In a recent post on social media platform X, MEP Wouter Beke stated, “Donald Trump’s threats and import tariffs, linked to European military support for Greenland, show just how far economic pressure can go today. Security and the economy are deeply intertwined,”
A former Belgian senator and federal minister, currently serving as an MEP for the EPP-member Christen-Democratisch & Vlaams (Christian Democratic and Flemish) party, Beke emphasises that “Europe cannot allow itself to be subjugated.”
He proposes activating the anti-coercion mechanism, forming a coalition of like-minded democracies (the Democracy 8 group) and establishing a European Security Council.
“The EU has tools to defend itself against economic intimidation,” Beke wrote, urging the practical application of these measures. “Implementing countermeasures is not an act of escalation; rather, it conveys a clear message that economic pressure and coercion will not yield positive results,” he added, in response to calls for a more passive approach to Trump’s remarks.
Beke further proposed that Europe unite with other like-minded democracies, such as Canada, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. “Europe must respond to economic coercion with a joint reaction. Unity is the best answer to divide-and-rule tactics, whether they come from the east or the west,” he highlighted.
In addition, he acknowledged the necessity for a European Security Council and a coordinated security strategy to address contemporary challenges effectively. “Europe must become more agile in the face of threats,” he asserted. “If we take our security seriously, we must also dare to say what our interests are and actively defend them. Europe is genuinely strong enough. Now we just have to show that strength.”