Donald Trump announced the imposition of additional duties on 8 European countries. They are expected to be 10% from 1 February this year and 25% from 1 June this year. This is the U.S. President's consequence to the opposition of these countries to the U.S. claims concerning Greenland. As Mr Szczerba, the Euro MP from KO stressed, there is no and there will be no agreement of the European Union and NATO's European allies to these claims. In turn, the Euro MP from PiS Adam Bielan hopes that the Davos summit will let this dispute to be resolved on diplomatic road.
– There is no and there will be no agreement from the European Union, but besides from NATO's European allies on U.S. claims against Greenland. The United States has a 1951 agreement with Denmark and later Greenland besides joined that agreement in 2004. They can increase their military presence on the island, they can grow their military base. I'm amazed that for 2 years nothing has been done about this, and present it is said that the full island is needed from a U.S. safety point of view – emphasizes Michał Szczerba in an interview with Newseria Agency. – I have the absolute belief that this is all about another issues, any thought that was invented and that Trump believed would not be realized due to the fact that we are behind Denmark and Greenland. No 1 has the right to forcefully endanger to deprive individual of territory, due to the fact that this is Putin's style, for which there is no consent in Europe.
– President Trump very clearly, powerfully communicates the needs of the United States related to geopolitics. Greenland is located on the fastest ballistic rocket way that is targeted from Russia in the East Coast, including Washington. It besides talks about Chinese pressures on uncommon earth metals, which are located in Greenland, besides about fresh trade routes that arise with melting ice in the Arctic – this is Adam Bielan. – I hope that, due to the fact that Denmark is simply a NATO member, like the United States, this dispute will be resolved through diplomatic channels.
The European Union institutions have already expressed their views on this. On 14 January this year, the European Parliament condemned president Trump's message to Greenland and stressed that any effort to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland means a violation of global law and the Charter of the United Nations. This was repeated on 17 January in a joint message by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa. At the ongoing planet economical Forum in Davos, the head of the EC announced the preparation of a package supporting Arctic security.
Experts at the UN besides expressed their concern about the United States President's statements on Greenland. They stressed that strengthening the US military presence on the island under the 1951 agreement could only be undertaken with Greenland's full consent.
– International law on this issue stands on the side of the Kingdom of Denmark, on the side of Greenland, but besides on the principles of common relations within, for example, the North Atlantic Alliance. I want to say very clearly that specified actions are unacceptable and will not be accepted. I have a feeling that Donald Trump will hear all this from many leaders and interlocutors after visiting Davos. – says Michał Szczerba.
– We request to talk. I am pleased that president Trump announced specified talks at the Davos Summit, during which we will be represented by president Charles Nawrocki. I hope that European leaders, president Nawrocki, Prime Minister Meloni, will be able to convince both Americans and Danes to resolve this dispute in diplomatic terms – This is Adam Bielan.
There are voices in the EU that the ratification of the trade agreement between the Union and the US will be halted in consequence to the Trump administration's threats. As the EU institutions point out, ratification does not favour the announcement of imposing duties on 8 European countries, including six EU countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom.
– On customs, first of all, we must stay united and firm. This is essential due to the fact that the last agreement was concluded in July 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland, and it seemed to be valid throughout Trump's term. Questioning this agreement and creating fresh threats will put US companies in considerable trouble, but besides exports from the US, which is simply a very crucial part of the US marketplace – says Michał Szczerba.
– These scenarios are present in the media at the moment, in the public debate, but I hope they will not be realised – This is Adam Bielan. – Thursday is the European Union summit on this issue. We will see what the decisions will be, and I hope that we can accomplish at least a close-up in Davos before that.
The representatives of the European People's organization emphasise that the European Union should strive to increase strategical autonomy, complete the single marketplace and strengthen cooperation with akin reasoning partners.
According to the Euro MP, the increase in tension in EU-US relations is most welcomed by the authorities in the Kremlin.
– I feel like Vladimir Putin is covering his hands and enjoying the situation. specified foolish words do not build the unity of the transatlantic community, but show completely irrational divisions. What is worse from our point of view as a country bordering the war-torn Ukraine, they divert attention from the war that has been going on since 2022. Our goal is to support Ukraine in its defence, not to concentrate attention on themes that are created artificially by irresponsible actions – emphasises Michał Szczerba.
