Greenland: what stance for Europe?

It will not have escaped you : Greenland is currently the scene of unprecedented tensions between the United States and several European countries, jeopardising the very functioning of NATO.

Indeed, with only 56,000 inhabitants, the sovereignty of the world''s largest island, an autonomous constituent community of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1979, continues to be weakened as American appetite grows.

Interested in particular in the maritime trade routes that could soon open up in the Arctic and in still untapped reserves of gas, oil and rare earths, the Trump administration is once again brandishing the threat of an imminent annexation, justified by national security imperatives.

Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom have just expressed their support for Denmark through a joint statement, announcing that they remain "united". As around twenty European soldiers arrived in Nuuk on 14 January for a reconnaissance mission, as part of operation "Arctic Endurance", France has also decided to open a consulate in Greenland on 6 February.

The US president has warned of a 10% customs surcharge on imports from the countries concerned starting 1 February, which could rise to 25% by 1 June. Facing its destiny, Europe will have to quickly find effective ways not to yield.