The European Parliament issued a formal statement strongly condemning the declarations made by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, calling them “a blatant challenge to international law,” the principles of the UN Charter, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a NATO ally.

The European institution stressed that such statements are “unacceptable and inadmissible in relations between democratic partners.”

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The European Parliament recalled that the United States signed an agreement with Denmark in 1916 recognizing the latter’s full sovereignty over Greenland, and emphasized that “external attempts to alter the status quo are unacceptable.” In this context, it urged the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to determine concrete measures to support Greenland and Denmark in the face of recent political pressure.

The Declarations Trump’s repeated statements on January 9, in which he expressed his intention to bring Greenland “under US control, by hook or by crook,” have generated a wave of international responses.

Greenland’s inhabitants issued a joint declaration that same day, in which the five parties represented in the Inatsisartut (Parliament) reaffirmed that “they do not want to be Americans, nor Danish, only Greenlanders,” and demanded that their right to self-determination be respected without external interference.

On January 10, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed the validity of military protocols that obligate Danish troops to respond with immediate fire to any attempted invasion of Greenland, even if it comes from allied forces such as those of the United States. For his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot backed Denmark and stated that “Greenland is a European territory under NATO protection,” demanding that “the blackmail must stop.”

Also from Asia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that “the right and freedom of countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law must be fully respected,” and warned that the U.S. should not use other countries as a pretext for seeking selfish gains.

She emphasized that Chinese activities in the Arctic region aim to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development, in line with international law.

This Wednesday, the White House leader reiterated that the U.S. “needs” Greenland, justifying its interest with arguments of national security and the implementation of its future missile defense system known as the Golden Dome.

The European Parliament also announced that it will continue to strengthen European defense capabilities and ensure that member states fulfill their NATO commitments through sustained investment in defense and a strong presence in the Arctic region.

Greenland, historically A colony of Denmark—a NATO member country—until 1953, it achieved a significant step forward in its self-government by gaining autonomy in 2009. Since then, the Arctic territory has exercised the right to make independent decisions on domestic policy; however, it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains authority over defense and foreign affairs.

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