Dutch Navy officers leaving Greenland after they 'completed reconnaissance:' Defense Ministry

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Two Royal Netherlands Navy officers will depart Greenland on Monday after they completed their work "as planned," according to the Defense Ministry.

"The two Royal Netherlands Navy officers who participated in the reconnaissance in Greenland for a joint military exercise in the Arctic region have completed their work as planned. They will depart Greenland today," the ministry said in a statement.

It noted that the Dutch officers contributed both operational and logistical expertise in Greenland as part of a Denmark-led reconnaissance with the participation of several NATO allies.

"A larger deployment within NATO (Arctic Sentry) is a possible next step," said the statement, adding that this will be discussed further within NATO in the coming period.

On Sunday, a German military reconnaissance team of 15 soldiers also left Greenland, a day after US President Donald Trump announced his plan to impose tariffs on nations opposing US control of Greenland.

Trump said on Saturday that Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland from Feb. 1, rising to 25% in June until there's a deal for "the complete and total purchase of Greenland."

In response, European leaders rejected Trump's tariff threats against the eight European nations, and reiterated solidarity with Denmark.

They issued a joint statement on Sunday, denouncing recent US tariff threats and vowing commitment to Arctic security while upholding their sovereignty.