The European Commission will soon present a major investment package for Greenland, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced, saying the EU would deepen cooperation with the United States and other partners to strengthen Arctic security.
Speaking at a conference after an emergency EU summit late last night, Von der Leyen said the EU had been underinvesting in the Arctic region and its security and that now was the time to increase investment.
“We are currently working to strengthen the EU’s relationship with Greenland and as part of this, the Commission will soon propose a significant investment package,” she said, adding that it had been proposed to double financial assistance to Greenland in the next EU budget from 2028.
In addition to the investments, Von der Leyen said the EU intended to deepen cooperation in the field of Arctic security with the United States and all partners, mentioning the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Iceland. “This has become a geopolitical necessity,” Von der Leyen said, reiterating that increased defense spending could be used for European icebreakers and other equipment.
The informal meeting of the European Council members was called after threats from US President Donald Trump, who in the meantime ruled out the possibility of using force on Greenland and withdrew the decision to impose tariffs on European countries that most opposed the US occupation of the Danish autonomous territory.
“We are clearly in a better position than 24 hours ago. Tonight we have learned the lessons of our common strategy,” said the EC President. According to her, there was unequivocal solidarity with Greenland and Denmark and support from the six EU members that the US had threatened with additional tariffs.
“We have also engaged very actively with the US at different levels. We have done so firmly, but not in an escalating way,” said Von der Leyen.
The EU, she added, was well prepared to implement trade countermeasures and non-tariff instruments if the US were to impose tariffs. Von der Leyen said that the EU’s firm stance, readiness and unity have proven effective and that it “should maintain the same approach” in the future.
