Davos: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged a significant increase in EU investment in Greenland and closer cooperation with the United States to strengthen security in the Arctic. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to working with Greenland and Denmark to support the local economy and infrastructure, which includes the potential development of European icebreaker capabilities as part of elevated defense spending.
According to Qatar News Agency, von der Leyen highlighted the EU's readiness to collaborate with the US and other partners to enhance Arctic security, deeming it a shared strategic interest. She issued a cautionary note to the US, warning that the EU would respond "firmly" to President Donald Trump's repeated threats concerning Greenland and proposed tariff hikes, noting that escalating tensions would only serve to benefit common adversaries.
President Trump has asserted that US control of Greenland is crucial for national security, a notion that has been strongly rejected by European NATO allies, including Denmark.