European leaders are voicing unprecedented criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump following his controversial NATO remarks and military threats over Greenland, marking a new low in transatlantic relations as of January 2026.
Trump's dismissal of allied contributions during the Afghanistan conflict during a Fox News interview this week drew sharp rebukes. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the comments "insulting" given Britain's 453 combat deaths in the 20-year war, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted his nation's 44 fatalities.
The tensions intensified with Trump's renewed push to acquire Greenland through potential military action. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated: "We cannot negotiate on our sovereignty," as EU leaders condemned the proposal as neo-colonialism.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of seeking to "weaken and subordinate Europe" through coercive trade tactics. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed transatlantic relations had "taken a big blow" this month.
Strategic analysts note Greenland's growing importance due to melting Arctic ice revealing new shipping routes and mineral resources. The U.S. maintains the Thule Air Base there under a 1951 defense treaty with Denmark. Brookings Institution expert Michael O'Hanlon told Xinhua: "We're already treaty-bound to protect Greenland – military threats are unnecessary."
While Trump has withdrawn the tariff threats following EU backlash, the diplomatic fallout continues reshaping Europe's security calculations as NATO prepares for its 2026 summit in June.
