The Deal or the Duty?
President Donald Trump just raised the stakes again.
During an unrelated event on healthcare this Friday, the President dropped a bombshell ultimatum on our European allies. The message was simple and stark. If the European Union blocks his attempt to acquire Greenland, they should prepare for a fresh wave of punishing tariffs.
It is a move that has turned diplomatic tension into full-blown panic across the Atlantic.
Europe Scrambles Defenses
European leaders are not taking the threat lightly. In a hasty response to the President’s vow to either “buy” Greenland or take it by force, several nations dispatched troops to the territory this week for unplanned military exercises.
The goal is clear. They want to showcase European defense capabilities, specifically the ones Trump has mocked by insisting only U.S. forces can secure the region.
But officials in Brussels are sounding the alarm. One European government official didn’t mince words when speaking to reporters.
“Putin wants a weaker NATO,” the official said. “Trump is giving it to him.”
The Russia Factor
The timing of this showdown is critical. While Trump pressures the EU, his stance on Russia remains a flashpoint. The President continues to suggest Vladimir Putin is a “man of peace,” even as Russian forces ramp up aerial bombardments of civilian targets in Ukraine. Just this month, reports confirm Russia deployed a nuclear-capable missile in a strike on Western Ukraine.
Despite this, Trump insisted in a recent interview that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the main obstacle to a peace deal.
The reality on the ground tells a different story. Sources close to the negotiations report that Zelenskyy has shown a willingness to make hard choices, including territorial concessions, in exchange for U.S. security guarantees. Putin, on the other hand, has shown zero interest in negotiating.
‘Ludicrous’ Claims
The President’s argument for taking Greenland hinges on security, but European officials aren’t buying it. They point to Russia’s struggle to make gains in Ukraine after nearly four years of war.
“Russia thought it would take Kyiv in three days and has instead spent four years making very modest gains,” a third European official noted. “The idea that they have the bandwidth to challenge the West in Greenland is ludicrous.”
Critics argue the President’s motives have little to do with geopolitical safety.
Expert observers, including Shapiro, believe this is about legacy rather than strategy. They suggest Trump is operating with a “real estate mogul’s view” where power is measured by acquiring land and expanding the map. As Shapiro put it, believing this push is about checking Russia or China means you simply aren’t paying attention.
Sanctions Stalled
While the Greenland drama unfolds, actual legislative action against Russia has hit a wall.
Senator Lindsey Graham announced last week that Trump had finally greenlit a bill to increase sanctions on Moscow. Yet, the week has come and gone with no action on the Senate floor. For now, the focus remains on the President’s latest tariff threat and the growing rift within the Western alliance.
AWN will continue to track this developing story.