Cyprus, holding the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), announced that ambassadors from the 27 member states would convene an extraordinary meeting today. Some EU diplomats indicated the meeting is scheduled to begin at 5h (11h Hanoi time).
This announcement followed US president Donald Trump's threat to impose 10% tariffs on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. These tariffs are effective from 1/2 and are set to increase to 25% by early June.
Trump stated that these measures would remain in place until the US "completely and fully" acquired Greenland.
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Danish soldiers in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, on 16/1. *AP*.
Trump's threat drew opposition from European leaders. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa pledged support for the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, warning that US tariff measures would weaken transatlantic relations.
Thousands in Greenland and Denmark marched on 17/1, urging Trump to let the island determine its own future. Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced he would visit Norway, the United Kingdom, and Sweden to discuss NATO's need to enhance cooperation, presence, and deterrence in the Arctic region.
"Countries unanimously agree that NATO's role in the Arctic needs strengthening. I want to discuss how to achieve that," he said.
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson stated that on 17/1, Sweden began in-depth discussions with EU member states, the United Kingdom, and Norway to formulate a common response. "We will not let ourselves be threatened," he emphasized.
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Greenland's location. *BBC*.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is located near North America, between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. A Danish territory, it has a population of 57,000 and an area of approximately 2.16 million km2, making it larger than Mexico and over three times the size of the US state of Texas.
Its location on the shortest route from North America to Europe makes it a strategically vital site for Washington. Greenland also possesses abundant, largely untapped mineral resources.
President Trump first floated the idea of annexing the island during his first term and reiterated the plan after returning to power last year. He believes that if the US does not control Greenland, China or Russia would.
By Pham Giang (Reuters)
