NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Sunday that he spoke with President Trump about what he described as the “security situation” in Greenland.
“Spoke with @POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week,” Rutte wrote in a post on the social platform X.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the conversation.
Trump announces tariffs after European troop deployment to Greenland
On Saturday, Trump said he would impose a 10 percent tariff on Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom after the countries decided to send troops to Greenland’s capital of Nuuk as part of “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
The countries — all NATO members — deployed soldiers in what they described as an effort to reinforce Greenland’s autonomy, following reports of renewed interest from the Trump administration in bringing the Arctic island under U.S. control for “national security purposes.”
Trump said the tariff would begin Feb. 1 and increase to 25 percent on June 1 unless “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
European leaders criticize tariffs, defend military exercise
European leaders pushed back strongly on Trump’s proposed trade measures in a joint statement, warning that tariff threats could “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” according to CBS News.
The eight countries said the move was connected to the “pre-coordinated Danish exercise ‘Arctic Endurance’ conducted with Allies,” adding that it “responds to this necessity” and “poses no threat to anyone.”
Bessent: U.S. security umbrella still matters
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the administration’s posture on Sunday, saying European governments would ultimately accept the reality that U.S. leadership remains central to the alliance.
“The European leaders will come around. And they will understand that they need to be under the U.S. security umbrella,” Bessent told NBC News.
