Trump’s demands that Denmark hand over Greenland to the United States—or risk a trade war and possible military action—are confronting Europe with what was once unthinkable: that its most important ally for more than 70 years could now be one of its most urgent threats, the newspaper wrote on Monday.
European officials fear that the erosion of US support for Ukraine may be used as leverage in Trump’s broader effort to assert control over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, The Wall Street Journal said.
US aid to Kyiv has already been curtailed since Trump’s return to office, though some intelligence and military supplies continue to flow, according to officials cited by the paper.
The collapse of trust in the United States over the past year—among both European leaders and the public—is forcing the continent to reassess its reliance on Washington, from security to trade, under an unpredictable Trump administration, the paper said, noting that European leaders increasingly view the transatlantic relationship as toxic.
Even if a compromise over Greenland were reached, many in Europe believe the West would never be the same again, according to the report.
The WSJ cited European diplomats as saying that the relationship with the White House has become purely transactional and that creative solutions on Greenland are off the table amid an atmosphere of threats.
Avoiding confrontation, they argue, is no longer working.
With progress stalled on defining US security guarantees for Ukraine, some fear Trump could fully withdraw support to pressure European governments over Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly blamed Ukraine for obstructing his efforts to end the war with Russia.
Officials also warned that growing transatlantic friction is playing into Russia’s hands, the WSJ reported.
(jh/gs)
Source: WSJ, PAP