Diplomatic fallout after Greenland dispute
President Donald Trump’s recent threats to take control of Greenland have caused lasting damage to relations between the United States and Europe, even after he backed away from using force. European officials told CNN that the episode has shaken trust within the transatlantic alliance and exposed deeper fractures in how both sides view global power, diplomacy and security.
Tensions escalated last weekend when Trump warned he could impose tariffs on European nations that opposed his ambitions to annex Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory of major strategic importance in the Arctic. Denmark and its allies rejected the idea outright, preparing possible retaliatory trade measures and creating a tense atmosphere at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Tariff threats dropped but trust remains damaged
On Wednesday, Trump ruled out military action in a keynote speech and announced the outline of a future framework following talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He also withdrew the threatened tariffs. Despite this retreat, European officials said the diplomatic damage had already been done.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch described the past weeks as deeply harmful to the relationship between Europe and the United States, warning that rebuilding trust will take time. Reflecting this strain, members of the European Parliament moved to block a vote to ratify a US–European trade deal, underscoring how political tensions are spilling into economic cooperation.
Europe weighs alliance loyalty against autonomy
Some European leaders stressed the continued importance of NATO, even as doubts grow. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe to remain committed to the alliance while also investing more heavily in its own defense and economic competitiveness. He reaffirmed Germany’s support for Danish sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Others struck a more cautious tone, acknowledging that relations with Washington have become increasingly transactional but insisting cooperation is still possible. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that NATO countries continue to work closely together on a daily basis, despite political tensions.
Calls for a new transatlantic approach
Not all voices were optimistic. Former European Council president Charles Michel said the events surrounding Greenland suggest the transatlantic relationship “as we’ve known it for decades is dead.” He argued that Europe must abandon what he called “flattering diplomacy” toward the White House, warning that appeasement has only encouraged more aggressive rhetoric.
European officials broadly agreed that the Greenland episode highlighted a widening gap between Europe’s preference for multilateralism and the US focus on deals, transactions and spheres of influence. While NATO remains intact for now, many in Europe believe the alliance is entering a period of reassessment that could redefine its future.