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Danish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Per Clausen has warned that US President Donald Trump's renewed demand to takeover Greenland must be taken "seriously," arguing that mere rhetoric from European leaders is no longer sufficient and the EU has the economic and political tools to respond forcefully.

Trump has eyed Greenland since his first term and revived the idea in late 2024, describing US control of the island "an absolute necessity" for national security.

He repeated his call after the US military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, highlighting Greenland's strategic significance and the US need because "it is covered in Russian and Chinese ships."

The White House said Trump and his team are discussing options for acquiring Greenland, and utilizing the US military is "always an option."

The latest comments have reignited tensions with Denmark and other European allies, while renewing debate over Greenland's strategic role, its extensive natural resources, and importance in Arctic defense.

Trump behaves like a 'bully'

Speaking to Anadolu, Clausen, a member of the European Parliament's Left group, strongly criticized Trump's statements and "aggressive US behavior" globally, saying Europe must draw clear "red lines" and be prepared to act.

"I think it's very unacceptable what Trump is doing here, and I think we need to take him seriously," Clausen said. "He has shown that he is capable to make military actions against a sovereign country and his threats against Greenland are very precise. It's a very, very difficult and very problematic situation."

Clausen said Trump's approach to international politics resembles "a bully in the schoolyard," and that the lack of firm responses has only emboldened him.

"Until now, most people have accepted that he do that ... I think Trump thinks that European leaders are very weak, and they will never say no, and they will never make action against United States. And as long he think it is in that way, he will go on with his aggressive behavior," he said.

Most European leaders, after the military intervention in Venezuela, have been cautious in criticizing Trump despite calling for adherence to international law. Critics argue they cannot risk antagonizing the American leader as US support for ending Russia's war in Ukraine is of vital interest.

EU should draw 'red line'

According to Clausen, European reactions to US actions, including economic pressure and military threats, have largely consisted of criticism without consequences.

He stressed that Greenland must be treated as a clear "red line" for the EU. "People in Greenland should make a decision on themselves, and I think they will never go into United States."

According to polls conducted in January 2025, 85% of Greenlanders opposed becoming part of the US.

Clausen underlined that any suggestion of taking control of Greenland undermines the concept of "alliance and friendship." "I think that [EU] also should tell United States that this is totally unacceptable to make threats against what we call friends. If the US do this, it's not our friend anymore."

Call to suspend EU-US trade agreements

The lawmaker criticized EU leaders for a "weak" response, particularly in economic and trade matters. He singled out recent tariff arrangements, saying they disproportionately favor Washington.

Under the July deal, the US imposed a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods, while the 27-member bloc removed many of its duties on US imports and agreed to buy $750 billion worth of energy from the US.

"We should say to [the] US, 'we can't make this work,'" he said, calling on the EU to suspend cooperation and trade processes until Washington clearly withdraws its threats against Greenland.

"We must stop the process in the European Parliament and in the European Council, and say to the United States [that] we can talk about this if you clearly said that you will never attack Greenland. And I think it should be an ultimatum from European Union against [the] United States," he said, urging a clear stance that the EU could also consider sanctions.

Clausen emphasized that the EU is not powerless and has significant leverage, particularly in economic terms. As a matter of fact, he claimed, the European Union can cause a lot of damage to the US economy, "if we want to do it so, we are not we are not without weapon, and we should use this weapon we have."

He said the EU already has mechanisms designed to respond to any pressure from countries such as China, and questioned why similar measures should not be applied to the US.

"The threat from the United States is much bigger than we ever have seen from China," he said. "It's time for European Union not to only talk, but also to make action."

Need for broader alliances

Asked about proposals by French MEP Raphael Glucksmann to establish a permanent European military presence in Greenland, Clausen said any step must be based on the wishes of the Greenlanders, an oft-repeated argument by Europe's leaders including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

"If the people in Greenland want to also have military support from some European countries ... It could be France. It could be some other countries in Europe ... I think it could be quite good idea, not because we should have a war between European countries and [the] United States, but we could show the United States that we in Europe all agree in that very important question," he explained.

Clausen also welcomed the recent firm statements from Denmark, but said it cannot face such pressure alone. "It's necessary for Denmark to have friends," he said. "Trump is a very, very strong and very aggressive man, and therefore we need to cooperate with other countries."