“As NATO members, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The Danish exercise 'Arctic Endurance,' previously coordinated and conducted with the allies, responds to this need. It poses no threat to anyone,” Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. On the basis of the process initiated last week, we are ready to engage in dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which we firmly defend,” they added.

“Dangerous spiral”

The signatories affirmed that they will continue to respond “in a united and coordinated manner” and “committed to the defense of our sovereignty.” As the presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council, Antonio Costa, already pointed out on Saturday, the countries also insisted that “tariff threatens to undermine transatlantic relations and entail the risk of a dangerous downward spiral.” Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose, starting February 1, a 10 percent tariff on all products from eight European countries that have sent troops to Greenland, and added that he would raise the tariffs to 25 percent in June and that they would remain in effect until an agreement is reached “for the total and complete purchase of Greenland” by Washington.