European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that Europe is “not negotiating” with the United States over control of Greenland, as President Trump continues to insist that acquiring the self-governing territory of Denmark is necessary for American national security.
“We are not negotiating on Greenland,” Kallas said at a press conference following an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
“Of course we are supporting our member state, Denmark, and its autonomous region, Greenland,” Kallas continued, “but we shouldn’t also go into speculation about what-ifs, because this is not the situation right now.”
Kallas would not say whether the ministers discussed Trump’s interest in Greenland specifically, but she said the ministers discussed the relationship between the EU and the U.S. as the Trump administration takes the helm in Washington.
“The new administration policies have major implications on the European Union,” Kallas said. “As the United States shifts to a more transactional approach, Europe needs to close ranks. We are stronger when we are united. That was the view that everybody shared.”
She added: “We discussed European and United States relations, and how we should really either change our policy or not change our policy towards the transatlantic relations, and also we discussed what the new administration and the cooperation with the new administration, how it would look like.”
Kallas noted the U.S. is “our closest ally” but said it’s “clear” the new administration “speaks the language of transaction,” and that it’s important the EU learn to speak that language as well.
“I think what is clear for everybody is that the new administration really speaks the language of transaction and that means negotiating always on different issues. So we need to speak that language as well. In negotiations, it’s always a question whether you reveal your hand, and the positions where you go to negotiations or you don’t because that weakens your hand.”
She said it’s important not to “underestimate” the power of the EU, noting it is also in America’s interest to maintain a close relationship with the EU.
“It is not so that America does not have interests in Europe. We are very much interlinked, and this means that we also have something in our hands. It’s not like somebody’s telling us what to do and we are following. But we are also strong, and we shouldn’t underestimate our own power when it comes to whatever — talking to partners but also acting towards our adversaries.”
She urged cooperation, saying, “Our adversaries are cooperating very closely, so should we. Europe and North America are stronger and safer together.”
Kallas said she has extended an invitation to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the council and would also be happy to travel to the U.S. “as soon as possible.”
