The European Commission responded on Wednesday to journalists' questions about Donald Trump’s expansionist ambitions towards Greenland, among other issues.
The sovereignty of EU Member States must be respected. However, the European Commission considered the President-elect’s remarks as "highly speculative," according to the institution's spokesperson.
"There are many threats that do not materialise, and at this stage, we do not believe it is necessary to go beyond this," said chief spokesperson, Paola Pinho, who refused to comment more,
The priority is to work with Washington towards enhanced transatlantic cooperation on common interests, added Anitta Hipper, the European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs.
Regarding whether the mutual defence clause of the European Union treaty (Article 42.7) could apply to Greenland, an overseas territory associated with the EU and part of Denmark, the legal answer is yes.
This article stipulates that if a member state is the target of armed aggression on its territory, other member states must provide aid and assistance with all means in their power. "But we are discussing a highly theoretical issue," Paola Pinho cautioned.
The previous day, the US President-elect had declined to dismiss the idea of using force to annex the Panama Canal and Greenland, also threatening to use "economic force" against Canada.
As for the threat of economic measures against the EU, "we have been preparing for any scenario for a year with a dedicated team," recalled Olof Gill, the spokesperson in charge of economic security.
"The priority is to identify areas of cooperation with Washington," but "we are ready to defend our interests if necessary." He also downplayed the issue, noting that these are "purely hypothetical questions concerning an administration that has not yet taken office."
