In Europe, opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed annexation of Greenland is so widespread that even right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expressing her opposition. And on Monday, CNBC reports, “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe stands firmly with Greenland as Trump renews his push for U.S. control of the territory.”
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CNBC’s Sam Meredith reports that von der Leyen “announced a fresh funding boost for Greenland, seeking to shore up Arctic ties with the self-governing Danish territory amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation drive.”
“Speaking alongside Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen,” Meredith explains, “the EU chief said the 200-million-euro ($232.3 million) funding package reflects ‘a clear choice’ by Greenland to strengthen ties with the 27-nation bloc. The funds, which is to be invested this year and in 2027, is designed to bolster ties between the EU and the Arctic, with Von der Leyen describing Greenland as ‘a strategic ally and a trusted friend.'”
Nielsen didn’t mince words on Monday, saying, “The European Union continues to be, not only an important partner for Greenland, but also, a loyal and trusted friend … Through these challenging times, your support to us is unfailing. You have stood by us and continue to stand by us. We feel it and are deeply grateful. Thank you.”
Meredith notes that the Greenland funding package “comes shortly after Icelanders voted to reject restarting EU membership negotiations and as Trump renews his push to acquire Greenland on national security grounds.”
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When Frederiksen was asked how Trump might react to the funding package, she responded, “We have been under pressure, and it has been very clear. And we are very thankful for the great support that we have received from our European partners — but, by the way, also globally.”
The Danish prime minister noted that Denmark would like to work with the U.S. on defense and national security matters, adding, “But we, of course, would also like to work even closer together with our European allies, and that is exactly what we are doing in the Arctic region now.”
Meredith reports, “The EU’s Von der Leyen said Greenland ‘stood firm and stands firm under enormous pressure. Europe is firmly united with you too. This is the basic message,’ she added. Trump has long advocated for control of Greenland, a vast, sparsely populated and largely frozen island, but the U.S. president’s fixation on the territory became a major trans-Atlantic issue at the start of the year.”
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