A European Parliament member directly confronted Donald Trump over his proposal to annex Greenland by using profanity in a fiery speech. Danish MEP Anders Vistisen addressed Trump in a blunt manner, stating, “Let me put this in words you might understand: Mr President…leave.” The chair promptly interrupted him, citing his language as inappropriate for the Parliamentary setting. This was not the first time Vistisen had used such language towards Trump, as he had done so a year earlier when the idea of the US acquiring Greenland was initially discussed.
The clash escalated as a key Trump supporter informed UK MPs of his visit to London to ease tensions in the dispute. However, Republican Mike Johnson emphasized in a parliamentary speech that a strong America benefits the global community. On the other hand, top EU official Ursula Von Der Leyen criticized Trump’s tariff threats regarding Greenland, calling them a misstep among allied nations.
During an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Von Der Leyen questioned Trump’s reliability following an earlier agreement not to impose additional tariffs on EU member states. She reiterated the importance of honoring agreements in both politics and business, emphasizing that trust between partners must hold weight. The EU pledged a resolute, unified, and proportionate response to the situation.
Trump’s rationale for seeking control over Greenland, citing security concerns related to China and Russia, was reiterated ahead of his scheduled appearance at Davos. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted the close ties between the US and Europe, urging calm among trading partners. Despite this, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned of potential future challenges, expressing a commitment to cooperation over conflict.