Speaking on the television current affairs show ‘WNL op Zondak’ broadcast on Sunday, Van Weel said efforts must now be made to ensure that “this absurd plan” is cancelled.
“This is blackmail, and this is not the way to work with your colleagues,” the minister said.
Despite threats, the Netherlands is not planning to recall two men sent to the Arctic island to take part in preparations for NATO exercises, he said. Once the real operation begins, the Netherlands will send more troops, but how many has not yet been decided.
European leaders will travel to Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum, and Trump is also expected to attend. “We have a lot of homework to do there,” Van Weel said. “And the first priority is to end this absurd proposal.”
The European Union has warned that the move threatens to undermine relations between the United States and Europe. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the 10 percent tariffs announced by Trump could trigger “a dangerous downturn.”
Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that the tariffs would apply to all goods from countries that send troops to Greenland starting February 1. He said if Greenland was “not purchased” by June, the tariffs would rise to 25 percent.
Defense Minister Ruben Brekelman announced earlier this week that the Netherlands was sending two military personnel to Greenland as part of a Danish mission, which is seen as preparation for a possible NATO exercise.
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