EUROPE
22.01.26
Maria Psara
There is a restrained sense of optimism among Europeans concerning Trump's reversal on the Greenland issue.
In an unexpected move last night, US President Donald Trump withdrew the threat of a violent takeover of Greenland from the table, as well as the threat of tariffs against 8 European countries, which was expected to dominate today's emergency EU summit.
However, no one can rule out the possibility that tomorrow or over the weekend, Trump may reappear to say the opposite.
Consequently, the European Council will proceed as normal, as it was never just about Greenland or tariffs anyway. "This is about the transatlantic relationship in all its dimensions," an EU official stated. Leaders will also discuss what to do with Trump's "Peace Council" and how to upgrade relations with Washington more broadly.
EU leaders are heading to Brussels for a meeting at 8 p.m. Greek time.
There is no doubt that Trump's visit to Switzerland, which caused a barrage of insults against the EU, has overturned the agenda of today's meeting, with the president's speech providing "food for thought in most, if not all, capitals – tariff-related or not," another EU official said.
The 72-minute speech was "100% MAGA – in tone and content," as an EU diplomat privately told Politico.
Trump's greatest "hits" included describing wind turbines – or "windmills" – as "losers," repeatedly confusing Iceland and Greenland, and reminding Europeans that without America they would be speaking German and... "a little Japanese" – a line delivered, for the record, in a city where people spoke German long before the Normandy landings.
But in the meantime, something changed. By evening, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had reached the "framework of a future agreement" on Greenland with NATO and would not impose the threatened tariffs on European allies.
What happened? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte entered the scene. He managed to secure some kind of agreement.
However, the nature of this agreement remains a mystery. We only know that it involved all seven NATO allies in the Arctic to ensure that Russia and China would never gain ground in Greenland.
Brussels was stunned by Trump's U-turn. Diplomats, officials across all institutions – no one expected this. But they welcomed the news with satisfaction.
Italy's Giorgia Meloni welcomed the news, essentially claiming victory because she continued the dialogue. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that the day ended on a better note than it began. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof added that the EU was now on the path to de-escalation. Skepticism persists in the second wave of reactions.
Until now, Rutte had not been officially invited to the Summit, according to an EU official, despite being the key person in the room where it happened. A senior NATO military official told Politico that there are currently no plans within NATO for an exercise in Greenland, let alone a full NATO mission in the Arctic.
At a panel on European security that included Rutte on Wednesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb was asked: "Who or what can de-escalate tensions over Greenland?" "Mark Rutte," he replied, drawing laughter from the audience and the panel. "Thank you, Alex," Rutte said, smiling.
How will this affect today's summit? "It removes the pressure," an EU diplomat stated, adding that the broader discussion on transatlantic relations remains essential. Another diplomat said that the shift puts the issue back where it belongs: a NATO problem to be discussed within NATO.
But in Europe, something has changed: "I don't see us returning to the 'daddy' strategy," a diplomat said, referring to Rutte's annoying reference to Trump as "daddy" last year. Even if Trump opens the door to negotiations, he won't find the same uncertain Europe — but a Europe ready to reciprocate.
However, no one can rule out the possibility that tomorrow or over the weekend, Trump may reappear to say the opposite.
Consequently, the European Council will proceed as normal, as it was never just about Greenland or tariffs anyway. "This is about the transatlantic relationship in all its dimensions," an EU official stated. Leaders will also discuss what to do with Trump's "Peace Council" and how to upgrade relations with Washington more broadly.
EU leaders are heading to Brussels for a meeting at 8 p.m. Greek time.
There is no doubt that Trump's visit to Switzerland, which caused a barrage of insults against the EU, has overturned the agenda of today's meeting, with the president's speech providing "food for thought in most, if not all, capitals – tariff-related or not," another EU official said.
The 72-minute speech was "100% MAGA – in tone and content," as an EU diplomat privately told Politico.
Trump's greatest "hits" included describing wind turbines – or "windmills" – as "losers," repeatedly confusing Iceland and Greenland, and reminding Europeans that without America they would be speaking German and... "a little Japanese" – a line delivered, for the record, in a city where people spoke German long before the Normandy landings.
But in the meantime, something changed. By evening, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had reached the "framework of a future agreement" on Greenland with NATO and would not impose the threatened tariffs on European allies.
What happened? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte entered the scene. He managed to secure some kind of agreement.
However, the nature of this agreement remains a mystery. We only know that it involved all seven NATO allies in the Arctic to ensure that Russia and China would never gain ground in Greenland.
Brussels was stunned by Trump's U-turn. Diplomats, officials across all institutions – no one expected this. But they welcomed the news with satisfaction.
Italy's Giorgia Meloni welcomed the news, essentially claiming victory because she continued the dialogue. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that the day ended on a better note than it began. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof added that the EU was now on the path to de-escalation. Skepticism persists in the second wave of reactions.
Until now, Rutte had not been officially invited to the Summit, according to an EU official, despite being the key person in the room where it happened. A senior NATO military official told Politico that there are currently no plans within NATO for an exercise in Greenland, let alone a full NATO mission in the Arctic.
At a panel on European security that included Rutte on Wednesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb was asked: "Who or what can de-escalate tensions over Greenland?" "Mark Rutte," he replied, drawing laughter from the audience and the panel. "Thank you, Alex," Rutte said, smiling.
How will this affect today's summit? "It removes the pressure," an EU diplomat stated, adding that the broader discussion on transatlantic relations remains essential. Another diplomat said that the shift puts the issue back where it belongs: a NATO problem to be discussed within NATO.
But in Europe, something has changed: "I don't see us returning to the 'daddy' strategy," a diplomat said, referring to Rutte's annoying reference to Trump as "daddy" last year. Even if Trump opens the door to negotiations, he won't find the same uncertain Europe — but a Europe ready to reciprocate.
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