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Stocker on Greenland dispute: “We will present ourselves as a strong and self-confident EU”

by AI | 19.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

The threatened punitive tariffs by US President Trump in the Greenland dispute have provoked sharp reactions from the European states. “The EU must now respond confidently and with unity,” says Austria’s Federal Chancellor Stocker.

Austria's Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker Photo: APA/Federal Chancellery/Christopher Dunker

Vienna (APA) – Austria has opposed the blackmail policy of US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland. The EU must “respond confidently and in a united manner,” emphasized Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) to APA on Monday. “We must focus on our economic strength and consider the use of all instruments available.” In the coming days, he wants to “coordinate closely” with his EU counterparts in Davos and Brussels.

After the deployment of troops to the Danish island, Trump announced punitive tariffs over the weekend against the European states involved if Denmark did not agree to sell the island to the USA. The threats prompted sharp reactions from the European states. EU Council President António Costa announced a special summit of heads of state and government to discuss a concrete response. Massive economic policy retaliation measures such as punitive tariffs are on the table.

“Sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by everyone without exception”

Stocker reaffirmed to APA the “full solidarity and support for Denmark and Greenland.” “Sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by everyone without exception. Decisions about the future of Greenland must not and cannot be made over the heads of the people in Greenland and Denmark,” underlined the chancellor.

On the part of the EU, the focus is “on dialogue and de-escalation.” “At the same time, we will defend our values and stand up resolutely for our interests. As the largest single market in the world, we can and will present ourselves as strong and self-confident as the EU,” said Stocker. Previously, his deputy, Austria’s Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ), had already advocated that the European Union should bring its economic weight to bear in defense of Greenland. Specifically, he proposed measures against large US technology corporations and against agricultural products in order to hit Trump’s supporters. (01/19/2026)