European Union leaders breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump reversed his threats over Greenland, prompting an emergency summit in Brussels to reassess transatlantic relations.
The meeting focused on restoring an EU-U.S. trade deal that had stalled after the European Parliament suspended ratification in protest over Trump’s pressure to acquire the Arctic island. While EU officials welcomed the de-escalation, they emphasized vigilance against future threats.
“We were successful by being firm,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said, highlighting Trump’s retreat from proposed tariffs and military threats. Still, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that the events had shaken Europe’s confidence in its long-standing partner.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as “quietening down” but stressed that the bloc remained prepared to use all available instruments to defend against potential coercion. European Council chief Antonio Costa added, “The EU will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion.”
Balancing Cooperation and Caution
Despite the tensions, leaders stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with the United States while pursuing greater independence. One EU diplomat warned, “Trump crossed the Rubicon. He might do it again… we need to keep him close while working on becoming more independent from the U.S.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said security cooperation in Greenland could continue as long as U.S. actions respect Danish sovereignty. Meanwhile, EU nations acknowledged that decades of reliance on Washington for NATO defense, combined with U.S. economic leverage as Europe’s largest trading partner, limit the bloc’s options.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the difference between leadership and coercion, warning that intimidation is not an acceptable method in transatlantic relations. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to its closest ally, calling the U.S. “our closest friend.”
Trade Deal Back on Track
With Trump’s threats withdrawn, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola indicated that lawmakers are likely to resume work on ratifying the EU-U.S. trade deal. During the crisis, the EU had prepared retaliatory measures, including tariffs on $108 billion of U.S. imports, to counter any unilateral actions by Washington.
