Donald Trump’s statements about wanting to take over Greenland, including the fact that he does not rule out military action and threatens economic pressure on Denmark, should get the EU to act. This is what Danish Red-Green Alliance Member of the EU Parliament, Per Clausen (Left), says. Today, he calls for both the EU’s High Representative on Foreign Affairs and the Commissioner responsible for trade to make clear announcements. At the same time, he also hopes that Poland, which has now taken over the rotating EU presidency, will support Denmark:

As a minimum, I expect both the EU’s foreign representative, Kaja Kallas, and the Commissioner with responsibility for trade and economic security, Maroš Šefčovič, to start acting. They must make it very clear to the US, that if you threaten one EU country with economic pressure due to territorial ambitions, you threaten the entire EU. Naturally, I hope to hear the same from the Polish government, by virtue of their rotating presidency of the Council.

Lack of EU support will be a major sign of weakness

Per Clausen points out that, the longer it takes before the EU acts the more weakened both Denmark and the EU will appear – which will only encourage Trump further:

If the EU does not make a clear announcement soon, then unfortunately Trump will be shown that even before he once again takes office as President, he has succeeded in Europe. This is something we should all be able to agree on, is not to the benefit of anyone in the EU. Trump behaves like a bully, and if Denmark is perceived as standing alone, it will only strengthen him in the belief that his threats work. This will increase the risk that he may repeat the tactic towards others.

The EU should also engage with the OAS

Per Clausen also calls for the EU to reach out to the Organization of American States, which counts both Canada and Panama among its members, in order to coordinate action and statements with them.

Given that Trump is also threatening both Canada and Panama, I think it would be only natural for the EU to immediately reach out to the Organization of American States. Together they can send a clear message to the USA that threats of annexation and military and economic pressure by this kind is unacceptable. It is important to show Trump’s people that the countries he attacks are not alone, concludes Per Clausen.