Berlin – On January 17, 2026, Alice Weidel, co-chairwoman of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, drew a pointed comparison between U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands for Greenland and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approach to international security, describing Trump’s strategy as implementing the Monroe Doctrine “essentially the same logic, just from the other side.”
Weidel made the remarks during a press conference in Berlin, where she addressed Trump’s announcement of escalating tariffs on eight European nations—including Germany—to pressure Denmark into selling the autonomous Arctic territory.
Weidel, an economist and prominent figure in the AfD since co-leading the party in 2017, highlighted perceived double standards in Western criticism of international actions. In her comments, she referenced years of outrage over Putin’s 2022 actions in Ukraine, including accusations of violating international law, while suggesting similar concerns about Russia’s security interests from NATO expansion were ignored. She then paralleled this to Trump’s position: “Trump is implementing the Monroe Doctrine — essentially the same logic, just from the other side.” The Monroe Doctrine, historically a U.S. policy opposing foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere, was invoked by Weidel to argue that Trump seeks to exclude hostile powers (such as China or Russia) from America’s “backyard,” extending to regions like South America, Greenland, and even allies like Great Britain and Canada.
Weidel also criticized Trump for violating a “fundamental campaign promise” of non-interference in other countries’ affairs, stating he would need to explain this to his voters. She expressed hope that the situation would not disrupt potential peace negotiations in Ukraine, noting that European leaders alone may not be capable of achieving lasting peace.
These statements come amid Trump’s Truth Social post on January 17, where he vowed to impose an additional 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Great Britain starting February 1, 2026, increasing to 25% on June 1, until a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland. Trump has repeatedly described the island as vital for U.S. security due to its strategic location and mineral resources, while not ruling out force, and accused Denmark of being unable to protect it from external threats.
The tariff threat has drawn widespread condemnation from European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called applying tariffs on allies “completely wrong,” and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic relations while affirming “full solidarity” with Denmark and Greenland. Cyprus, holding the EU presidency, called an emergency meeting of EU ambassadors for Sunday.
European countries, including Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands, have sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request to bolster presence and prepare for exercises, signaling support following failed U.S.-Danish-Greenland talks.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed less than one in five Americans support acquiring Greenland, and bipartisan U.S. senators have warned that the path is harmful to American interests and alliances.
Weidel’s critique stands out given the AfD’s previous alignment with aspects of Trump’s “America First” approach, but reflects growing European unease—even from far-right voices—over the potential strain on NATO and international norms. The comments underscore the diplomatic rift triggered by Trump’s demands, with protests in Denmark and Greenland on the same day rejecting any sale of the territory.
