French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has stated that the European Union will not tolerate any attacks on its sovereign borders.
His comments on Wednesday came in response to United States President-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out using military or economic measures to gain control of Denmark’s autonomous territory, Greenland.
“Obviously, it is out of the question that the EU will allow other countries in the world, regardless of which country it may be, to attack their sovereign borders,” Barrot told France Inter radio.
Barrot sought to reassure allies that the United States is not an imperialistic power, despite Trump’s recent remarks concerning U.S. claims over Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal.
The French diplomat emphasized the importance of fortifying Europe’s defences against external threats. “Although Europe is a strong continent, additional measures need to be taken to strengthen the EU,” Barrot said, underscoring the necessity of unity in the face of potential aggression.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, despite gaining autonomy in 2009. Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new; he first expressed his desire to acquire the island in 2019 during his first presidential term.
After his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Trump reignited the debate, declaring Greenland an “absolute necessity” for the United States.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump discussed his territorial ambitions. While he dismissed the possibility of using military force to acquire Canada, he refused to provide the same assurance for Greenland or the Panama Canal.
Trump’s comments have sparked widespread concern across Europe, with many leaders condemning the potential violation of sovereign borders.
The situation has placed Denmark and the European Union in a delicate position as they confront Trump’s renewed claims and consider measures to safeguard the autonomy of Greenland and other strategic territories.
