Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
French president Emmanuel Macron called US tariffs imposed against the EU “brutal and unfounded” (16:32), as he urged leaders to do “whatever is effective and most proportionate” in response, suggesting a potential intervention on digital services and suspension of French investments in the US until the tariffs get clarified (16:54, 17:28).
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez accused Donald Trump for “plunging” the world into an “unfair and unjustified crisis,” as he announced plans for a Covid-like €14.1bn “response and commercial relaunch plan” to support the Spanish economy (13:22).
Irish prime minister Micheál Martin said he “deeply regreted” US tariffs and he saw “no justification” for them as he repeatedly talked about the need to “negotiate way forward” with the US to protect the Irish economy (13:58) amid growing fears that the pharmaceutical industry could be the next target of Trump’s interventions (13:50).
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson suggested that the US announcements last night should be seen as a starting point for negotiations, with ultimate aim of driving them as much down as possible (15:38).
EU leaders spoke in similar tone, with EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič saying he would speak with US counterparts on Friday (12:32).
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán confirmed plans to withdraw Hungary from the international crime court after accusing it of “becoming a political court” while speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is subject to an ICC arrest warrant (13:16).
Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, has put on a show of unity with Greenlandic leaders in her first visit to the Arctic island since Donald Trump’s renewed threats to acquire the territory (9:44), saying that when Greenland is in a “difficult situation” so too are Denmark and Europe (15:43). Meanwhile in Brussels, Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen made it clear to US state secretary that Denmark would oppose all US claims for control of Greenland (18:12).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
US narrative on taking Greenland is not tenable and Denmark will object to claims, Danish foreign minister says
Meanwhile in Brussels, Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he told US state secretary Marco Rubio that repeated comments about Donald Trump’s intention to take control over Greenland were “untenable”.
Speaking after the pair met on the sidelines of the Nato ministerial in Brussels, he said Trump’s comments were at odds with international law and “challenged” Denmark’s sovereignty.
He added while Denmark was open to discussions with the US on issues of mutual interests, he was clear that it would oppose any US claims on Greenland .
The minister also said he reminded Rubio of the 1951 defence treaty which gives the US options to increase military presence on the island within the existing framework. He said that at one point there were over 1,000 US soldiers in Greenland, while now it’s less than 200, a decision made by the US.
His comments were reported by multiple Danish media.
In the US readout, the US Department of State said that Rubio “reaffirmed the strong relationship” with Denmark, and the leaders discussed Nato and threats to the alliance, including from Russia and China.
