Hungary Blocks EU Statement on Greenland as Trump Tariff Threats Divide Europe

Hungary has blocked a joint European Union statement on Greenland, leaving the bloc divided as Trump's threats over the territory intensify. Budapest argues the dispute is a bilateral matter between Denmark and the United States.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the two parties should negotiate directly. "It is not an issue of the European Union," he said.

The move isolates Hungary as most EU member states rally behind Denmark. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa issued a statement Saturday saying the EU "stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland."

Hungary's blocking maneuver comes as European allies deploy troops to the territory. Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have all sent military personnel to Greenland for what France calls "Operation Arctic Endurance."

Germany deployed a 13-person reconnaissance team aboard the frigate Saxony, which left Wilhelmshaven carrying 250 troops and anti-aircraft missiles. France has redeployed 15 soldiers. The UK, Norway, Sweden and Netherlands have contributed smaller contingents.

Trump's Tariff Retaliation

Trump responded by announcing 10 percent tariffs on all goods from the eight countries participating in the deployment, effective February 1. The tariffs will climb to 25 percent by June if no deal is reached for what he called "the complete and total purchase of Greenland."

European leaders condemned the move. In a joint statement Sunday, the eight targeted countries said they "stand in full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country is "concerned about this escalation." He confirmed Canada would support Denmark's sovereignty and is considering sending soldiers to join NATO exercises in Greenland.

"The future of Greenland and decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide," Carney said during a visit to Qatar.

NATO's Article 5 at Stake

The crisis has raised questions about NATO's mutual defense commitment. Article 5 of NATO's charter states that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack on all, requiring members to take any actions deemed necessary, including military force.

Denmark is a founding NATO member. Greenland, while not an EU member, falls under Danish sovereignty and NATO's security umbrella.

According to Axios, Trump ordered the Joint Special Operations Command to make plans for what he called a possible invasion. The move reportedly met resistance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Senior Republicans have warned that any military action against Greenland would end Trump's presidency. The deployment of European troops has turned the situation into a test of alliance solidarity.

This comes as Germany has already deployed naval assets to Arctic waters in support of Denmark.

European Unity Tested

The Hungarian veto exposes divisions within the EU. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and Czech leaders have also been cautious, though neither has blocked EU statements.

Fabian Zuleg, chief executive at the European Policy Centre, argued that states blocking collective action should face consequences. "Those governments that are unwilling to act must be excluded, and exclusion must have consequences," he said, suggesting that such states should no longer fully benefit from shared defense and security cooperation.

Despite Hungary's obstruction, the EU's external action service chief Kaja Kallas managed to issue a joint statement on behalf of 26 member states earlier this week demanding that international law be upheld.

What Greenlanders Say

All five political parties in Greenland issued a united statement rejecting both American and Danish control. "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish; we want to be Greenlanders," they said.

The territory of 57,000 people holds strategic value for Arctic shipping routes and hosts US military installations including Pituffik Space Base.

Greenlandic citizens have consistently rejected attempts by the United States to acquire their territory, while analysts note that fears of Chinese expansion in the region have been exaggerated.

The European Council is scheduled to hold an emergency summit Thursday to discuss the crisis. Whether Hungary will continue blocking unified EU action remains unclear.