European leaders have issued a stern warning to US President-elect Donald Trump following his controversial remarks on potentially using military action or economic coercion to seize control of Greenland.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz led the rebukes on Wednesday, emphasizing the principle of sovereign borders. "Borders must not be moved by force.

This principle applies to every country, whether in the East or the West," Scholz said, adding that Trump’s statements had caused “notable incomprehension” among European Union leaders. He reiterated the need for unity among European nations, saying, “We must stand together.”

The chancellor’s comments echoed across the bloc, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot declaring Greenland as “European territory” and stating there was “no question of the EU letting other nations, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders.”

While the European Commission largely avoided engaging directly, spokesperson Paula Pinho confirmed that Greenland falls under the EU’s mutual defence clause, which binds members to collective protection in case of aggression.

Trump’s Expansionist Vision

Trump’s statements on Tuesday included aspirations to gain control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal, with the president-elect citing Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic. When asked if he would rule out military or economic measures, Trump replied, “I’m not going to commit to that,” further stirring unease among European allies.

Trump later told reporters, “We need Greenland for national security purposes,” referencing increasing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic involving Russia, China, and the US.

French government spokesperson Sophie Primas described Trump’s comments as a “form of imperialism,” calling on European partners to bolster defence mechanisms and reject naivety. “We are seeing a rise in blocs and imperialist tendencies,” she said.

Greenland’s position

Mute Bourup Egede, Greenland’s Prime Minister, has yet to respond to Trump’s latest remarks. However, Egede, who advocates for Greenland’s full independence from Denmark, has previously rejected Trump’s suggestions of purchasing the island.

Denmark, which maintains sovereignty over Greenland, struck a more measured tone. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that Copenhagen was open to dialogue with the US on potential cooperation but ruled out the possibility of Greenland becoming part of the United States.

Broader reactions

Trump’s comments sparked global reactions, including condemnation from Canada and Mexico. Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc criticized Trump for suggesting Canada could become the “51st state,” calling the remarks disruptive and dismissive.

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ridiculed Trump’s idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” proposing instead that North America should be renamed “Mexican America.”