GREENLAND NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION – EU TELLS WEF

EUROPEAN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen drew a line in the sand in the wake of US President Donald Trump's threat to seize Greenland, saying its sovereignty and territorial integrity were not up for negotiation.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

Greenland’s strategic importance has grown sharply as climate change opens Arctic shipping routes, increases access to critical minerals and intensifies great-power rivalry in the High North.

Trump has recently threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, France and the UK, from next month, unless they support his ambition to take control of the Arctic island. Trump stated that starting February 1, 2026, the US will levy a 10% tariff on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, with the rate increasing to 25% on June 1, 2026.

He characterised the move as a matter of “Global Peace and Security,” claiming that the Danish territory is currently vulnerable to foreign adversaries.