Europe Stands Firm: Trump Retreats on Greenland After Unified Resistance and Viral Penguin Mockery
The White House's penguin meme became a symbol of American ignorance as European nations deployed troops and issued collective condemnation. Trump reversed course at Davos, proving that unified European action can deter even Washington's most aggressive threats.
President Trump backed down from his Greenland threats this week after unified European resistance proved too strong to overcome. The reversal, coming at the World Economic Forum in Davos, followed weeks of escalating tensions that saw European nations deploy troops to the Arctic island and issue collective condemnation of American expansionism.
"Embrace the Penguin"
The White House posted an AI-generated image on January 23 showing Trump walking through snow alongside a penguin carrying an American flag, with Greenland's flag in the background. The caption read "Embrace the Penguin."
Critics were quick to note the geographical error. Penguins live almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere and do not inhabit Greenland or the Arctic. Danish MP Rasmus Jarlov captured the sentiment, writing on X: "The message from the White House is clear: Trump belongs in Greenland as much as penguins do."
The White House doubled down on January 24, responding to mockery with: "The penguin does not concern himself with the opinions of those who cannot comprehend."
European Military Response
The situation had grown far more serious before Trump's retreat. In mid-January, European NATO members launched Operation Arctic Endurance, deploying military personnel to Greenland at Denmark's invitation.
France sent mountain infantry troops to Nuuk. Germany dispatched a 13-member reconnaissance team. Sweden announced deployments to "prepare for upcoming elements within the framework of the Danish exercise." Denmark added 100 soldiers to its forces in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq.
The UK signaled willingness to join the effort. Norway's prime minister made a statement of support. What began as American bluster met coordinated European resolve.
A Unified European Voice
Seven European leaders issued a joint statement affirming that "Greenland belongs to its people" and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future. President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain, Prime Minister Starmer of the UK, and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark presented a united front.
Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted the contrast in values, noting that if Trump "seizes Greenland from Denmark," Americans would gain access to free healthcare with no deductibles, free college education, 52 weeks of paid parental leave, and five weeks of paid vacation, benefits that Danes and Greenlanders already enjoy.
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen was direct: "Europe will not be blackmailed."
Make America Go Away
Thousands marched from Copenhagen City Hall to the US embassy on January 17, chanting "Greenland is not for sale." Many wore red hats reading "Make America Go Away," a pointed inversion of Trump's campaign slogan that quickly went viral.
Greenland's five political parties issued a unified statement: "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish; we want to be Greenlanders."
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Greenland had earlier told Trump directly: "Our country is not for sale and our future is not determined by social media posts. We are a democratic society with autonomy, free elections and strong institutions."
The Retreat
Trump had threatened an extra 10% tariff on eight European countries if they opposed his Greenland bid, rising to 25% by June. He had refused to rule out military force.
At Davos on January 21, he reversed course, pledging not to use military force against Greenland and withdrawing tariff threats against European nations.
Former US NATO ambassador R. Nicholas Burns said Trump had "clearly backed down in the face of tough military, economic and political resistance from the Europeans."
What This Means for European Integration
The Greenland crisis demonstrated something the EU and its allies have long debated: whether Europe can act decisively when challenged. This time, it did.
While Iceland prepares an EU membership referendum partly motivated by similar security concerns, the Greenland episode showed that European unity, when mobilized, can deter even American aggression. The joint statement, the military deployments, the economic counter-threats: all proved that collective European action remains possible.
The penguin meme will be forgotten. The precedent of European nations standing together against a hostile US administration will not.
January 25, 2026