Kathmandu — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the changing dimensions of the international balance of power, including Greenland, in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.
Addressing the World Economic Forum, the German Chancellor said that Russia and China are challenging the United States. He said, “A new world of superpowers is being established on the basis of power, capability and, if necessary, the dominance of force. This is not comforting.”
Chancellor Merz said that Europe’s NATO partners should take more steps to secure the Arctic region. “We will protect Denmark, Greenland and the Northern Territory from the Russian threat. We will stand firm on the established principles of the transatlantic partnership, on sovereignty and integrity,” he said.
Emphasizing the need to reach common interests through dialogue, the Chancellor of Europe’s largest economy said, “We support the dialogue between Denmark, Greenland and the United States under these principles.”
Welcoming US President Donald Trump’s changed stance on Greenland, Merz said, “This decision by Trump is good news. We are taking a step in the right direction. I welcome President Trump’s statement last night, this is the right way forward.”
Advising Trump to address Europe’s concerns, the German Chancellor said, “Despite the anger and resentment of recent months, we must not reject the transatlantic partnership.”
Trump’s tone changes under pressure from Europe Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that her country cannot compromise on sovereignty in response to Trump’s Greenland deal.
Trump, who arrived in Davos a day earlier for the World Economic Forum summit, said he had agreed with NATO chiefs to work out a framework for a future agreement on Arctic security.
Trump had withdrawn his threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland in Davos. The US president also said that talks were underway on the Golden Dome missile defense program for Greenland.
It is estimated that the US may be considering deploying weapons in space as part of this $175 billion multi-layered system. Trump has said that talks are ongoing without giving further details.
NATO’s response to Trump’s remarks
After Trump’s remarks, NATO Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte clarified that he had not compromised Denmark’s sovereignty.
In an interview with the American news channel Fox News after his meeting with the US president, Rutte was asked whether Greenland would remain part of the Danish monarchy under Trump’s proposed framework. Rutte said, “It did not come up in the conversation with the president tonight.”
Denmark suggests a way forward
Following these remarks from Davos, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Arctic security is important for the entire NATO. She also reported that she had spoken to Rutte twice on the subject.
Frederiksen stressed that Denmark wants a positive dialogue with its partners, and that this could include the US Golden Dome program, but that territorial sovereignty must be respected.
NATO spokeswoman Alison Hartley also said on Thursday that Rutte had not proposed any compromises on sovereignty during her meeting with President Trump. She made it clear that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the US would continue and that the aim was to ensure that Russia and China would not have any economic or military presence in Greenland. Agency
