Merz Welcomes Trump’s Retreat on Greenland

DAVOS: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to back down on threats to seize Greenland by force from ally Denmark, calling it “the right way to go”.

“The threat of seizing European territory by force is unacceptable,” Merz said in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. he said.

“New tariffs would also shake the foundations of transatlantic relations. If they are introduced, Europe’s response will be united… measured and firm.”

Over the weekend, Trump threatened to hit Germany and other European countries centered around Greenland, an autonomous region of NATO member Denmark, with heavy new tariffs starting next month.

European leaders responded by raising the possibility of countering with an EU trade weapon called a “bazooka” designed to deter economic pressure against the bloc.

Trump walked back his threats on Wednesday, announcing a vague deal aimed at ensuring the security of the Arctic island.

Despite the anger triggered in Europe by Trump’s escalating attacks on Greenland, Merz also welcomed the US “taking seriously the threat posed by Russia in the Arctic.”

The conservative German leader promised that NATO allies would jointly “protect Denmark, Greenland and the north from the threat posed by Russia”.

“We share the belief that as European NATO allies we must do more,” he said.

“We will do more. Our neighbors and partners in Europe, including the people of Denmark and Greenland, can count on our solidarity.”

After returning to office, Trump increased pressure on U.S. NATO allies to spend more on defense, with many pledging to achieve higher targets.

Merz said, “We must not give up on NATO.

“We must repair the trust on which the alliance was built. Europe knows how valuable this is.”