EU chief says transatlantic ties took 'big blow,' but unity can prevail

The European Union's foreign policy chief has delivered a sobering assessment of transatlantic relations after a week of crisis triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive pursuit of Greenland, but underscored Europe's determination to preserve the long-standing partnership.

A week of unpredictability shakes the alliance

Kaja Kallas made her remarks ahead of an emergency meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, convened after Trump threatened tariffs on eight European nations that opposed a U.S. takeover of Greenland. Although Trump later withdrew the tariff threat and announced a vague "framework of a future deal" on Arctic security, the episode inflicted significant damage. "The transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week... On the European side, we are not willing to junk 80 years of good relations," Kallas stated, adding that "unpredictability" had become the defining feature of the past year.

European unity as the cornerstone of strength

Arriving leaders echoed Kallas's sentiments, framing the crisis as a test of European resolve. The Danish Prime Minister, whose country was at the center of the dispute, hailed EU unity and "our willingness to stand up for ourselves". She stressed that Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty was "non-negotiable" but expressed readiness to discuss enhanced Arctic security, including a permanent NATO presence. Other leaders emphasized the priceless value of European unity and warned that Europe must remain "extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal".

Warning against benefiting adversaries

A core part of Kallas's message was a warning that internal Western discord directly empowers rivals. She argued that disagreements between allies "are just benefiting our adversaries who are looking and enjoying the view," specifically naming Russia and China. This concern is shared by other leaders who see public friction as undermining collective security at a time when the war in Ukraine continues and geopolitical competition in the Arctic intensifies. The episode has prompted serious discussions within European capitals about strategic autonomy and the need to recalibrate relations with other global powers to ensure resilience.

Navigating a 'new complexity' with a strategic partner

Despite the strain, the prevailing mood was one of cautious relief that a full-blown trade war was averted. The German Chancellor welcomed Trump's change of heart, and the European Parliament signaled it might reconsider its freeze on a major EU-US trade deal. Summarizing the new reality, an EU official described the relationship as "very strong, but certainly more complex," filled with disagreements, tensions, and points of cooperation. For nations like Türkiye, a key NATO ally, the stability of the transatlantic partnership remains a critical pillar of the international order, making Europe's unified and strategic response to such crises essential for regional and global stability.