US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday cautioned European governments against responding with retaliatory measures as tensions escalate over Donald Trump’s push to assert control over Greenland. Warning that any counteraction would be counterproductive, Bessent described retaliation by Europe as “very unwise.”
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bessent played down the likelihood and effectiveness of European trade retaliation. His remarks came amid growing transatlantic friction linked to Trump’s threats of imposing punitive tariffs on countries opposing US ambitions regarding the Arctic island.
When asked directly whether European nations should respond with tariffs or other countermeasures, Bessent was unequivocal. He said such a response would be ill-advised and urged European leaders to refrain from escalating the situation further through trade actions.
Bessent also encouraged European officials not to second-guess Trump’s intentions, insisting that the US president’s statements should be taken at face value. He noted that he had not personally engaged with European counterparts in recent days due to travel commitments but said he had spoken directly with Trump. According to Bessent, the president was receiving numerous messages from abroad, and he suggested that international leaders should listen carefully to what Trump was saying rather than speculate about alternative motives.
Trump’s influence has been strongly felt at the Davos gathering, with reports indicating that he is expected to meet global business leaders on Wednesday. His looming presence has intensified debate among political and economic leaders over the implications of his tariff threats, which he has explicitly linked to opposition against US control of Greenland.
Meanwhile, resistance from key European powers has been growing. France and Germany have adopted a notably firm stance against Washington’s pressure tactics. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Berlin and Paris were aligned in rejecting what he described as coercion. “Germany and France agree: we will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” he said, adding that “the limit has been reached.”
Trump has continued to increase pressure on European allies, warning that countries he believes are obstructing US plans for Greenland could face economic consequences. He has specifically singled out France, Germany, and other European states that have sent small military contingents to Greenland, portraying their actions as provocative.
Within the European Union, officials have openly discussed possible retaliation, including counter-tariffs targeting up to €93 billion (approximately $107.7 billion) worth of American imports. These discussions underscore the seriousness with which Brussels is treating the dispute and the potential for a broader trade confrontation.
In contrast to the tougher rhetoric from Paris and Berlin, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck a more measured tone. Speaking at an emergency press conference in London, Starmer said he did not believe Trump was contemplating military action over Greenland and indicated that the UK was unlikely to retaliate against US tariffs, setting Britain apart from some of its European partners.
Elsewhere in Europe, frustration has continued to mount. Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen described Trump’s tariff threats as “irresponsible” ahead of a Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, reflecting growing unease among EU finance ministers over the direction of the dispute and its potential economic fallout.
