European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at Davos that the EU is developing a package to strengthen Arctic security and support Greenland. She criticised proposed U.S. tariffs tied to Greenland as a mistake and cited the EU-US trade deal from last July as underpinning predictable allied relations. Von der Leyen said Denmark's and Greenland's sovereignty is non-negotiable and outlined plans for coordinated defence measures and a major European investment surge in Greenland, including potential funding for an icebreaker capability.
EU to Roll Out Arctic Security Package, von der Leyen Says — Calls U.S. Tariffs Over Greenland a 'Mistake'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the signing ceremony of a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosu, in Asuncion, Paraguay, January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo
DAVOS, Jan 20 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the Commission is preparing a package to strengthen security in the Arctic and to support Greenland, while criticising proposed U.S. tariffs related to Greenland as counterproductive.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen stressed that Arctic security requires cooperation among allies and warned that punitive measures between long-standing partners would be self-defeating.
"Arctic security can only be achieved together, and this is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies," von der Leyen said.
She invoked the EU-US trade agreement reached last July as a foundation for predictable relations, adding that "a deal is a deal" in both politics and business.
A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. President Donald Trump, and the EU and Greenland flags appear in this illustration taken January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
"Plunging us into a downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape, so our response will be unflinching, united and proportional," she said.
Von der Leyen reiterated that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland are non-negotiable and said Brussels is actively developing measures to bolster security in the High North.
"We are working on a package to support Arctic security," she said, noting that the plan includes coordination with the United States and other partners. The Commission also plans what von der Leyen called a "massive European investment surge in Greenland" to back the local economy and improve infrastructure.
She suggested that planned increases in defence spending across Europe could fund capabilities specifically relevant to the Arctic, including a European icebreaker capability and other specialised equipment vital to operations in polar conditions.
(Reporting by Lili Bayer; editing by Inti Landauro)
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