By Anthony Marcus for Eurasia Business News, January 18, 2025. Article n°1990
Eight European countries, including France and Germany, have said they are ready to strengthen security in the Arctic and protect Greenland’s sovereignty amid US threats to impose tariffs, the Swedish government said.
Eight European countries have issued a joint statement on January 18 saying they are ready to strengthen security in the Arctic and to uphold Greenland’s sovereignty in response to U.S. tariff threats linked to the Greenland dispute. The statement was highlighted by the Swedish and other Nordic governments and frames Arctic security and Greenland’s status as matters to be decided by Denmark and Greenland themselves, not by external pressure.
Who signed the statement
The countries are Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, all close European partners and mostly NATO allies.
Their governments describe Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest but stress that they stand in “full solidarity” with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.
What they pledged on security
The eight governments say they are committed to strengthening Arctic security, including through participation in the Danish‑led military exercise “Arctic Endurance,” which they describe as pre‑coordinated and posing no threat to anyone.
They underline increased presence, activities and investments in the Arctic to enhance deterrence and defence, and frame this as part of broader NATO efforts in the region.
Position on Greenland’s sovereignty
The statement reiterates that security in the Arctic must be based on international law, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
The leaders explicitly affirm that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that matters concerning Denmark and Greenland are for Denmark and Greenland alone to decide, rejecting any notion of forced change of status.
France, Germany, Norway and Sweden have decided on January 15, in coordination with several NATO allied countries, to deploy mountain troops in Greenland as part of an “inter-allied exercise”, while a meeting in Washington on Wednesday recorded a fundamental disagreement between Denmark and the United States over the future of the autonomous territory of Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump said his country “absolutely needs Greenland,” which he said is surrounded by “Russian and Chinese ships.” The U.S. president said this in an interview with The Atlantic on January 4.
Response to U.S. tariff threats
The eight European countries warn that U.S. tariff threats over their stance on Greenland risk a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic relations and between NATOS Allies.
They state they will remain united and coordinated in defending their sovereignty and economic interests while still seeing the United States as an essential NATO partner in Arctic security.
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