The European Union will not allow any nation to compromise its sovereign borders, France’s foreign minister stated on Wednesday, addressing remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland.
On Monday, Trump declined to rule out military or economic measures as part of his expressed desire for U.S. control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot dismissed the notion of the U.S. invading Greenland, a territory under Danish rule for over 600 years.
“The European Union will not permit any country to challenge its sovereignty, regardless of who they are,” Barrot told France Inter radio, emphasizing Europe’s strength.
Trump’s comments have highlighted a potential expansionist policy just weeks before his Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington.
“If you ask whether I believe the United States will invade Greenland, the answer is no. But if you ask whether we are entering an era of survival of the fittest, the answer is yes,” Barrot remarked.
He urged the EU to remain vigilant, stating it should neither overreact nor allow intimidation but instead focus on strengthening itself.
