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Donald Trump's message to European allies that the United States has no intention of withdrawing from the Greenland issue has been reinforced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated that Europe is "too weak" to guarantee its own security.
Bessent downplayed the European Union's threats to cancel the trade agreement reached last year with the Trump administration, emphasizing that the US president uses strategic influence as "leverage" to achieve his objectives.
On Saturday, Trump announced the imposition of 10% tariffs on products from eight European countries starting February 1, with a projected increase to 25% in June if a deal to "buy Greenland" is not reached.
This development caused strong reactions, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling the measure "unacceptable" and declaring that he would seek the activation of the EU's most powerful countermeasures mechanism.
Bessent presented a broader justification for the US claim to Greenland, citing increasing geopolitical competition in the Arctic, Trump's plans to develop the "Golden Dome" missile shield, as well as Europe's previous energy dependence on Russia, which, he said, "financed Russian operations against Ukraine."
Asked if Trump's stance towards Europe is a negotiating tactic, the US secretary hinted that the president has no intention of changing course: "The Europeans transmit weakness, the US transmits strength," he said.
"The President believes that enhanced security cannot exist without Greenland being part of the United States."
Responding to concerns from European leaders that an American move to acquire Greenland could lead to the dissolution of NATO after more than 70 years, Bessent called this dilemma "false."
"European leaders will accept and understand that they need the security umbrella of the United States," he concluded.
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