Finnish President Alexander Stubb pushes back on Trump arguing disputes between allies should be resolved through dialogue rather than pressure, responding to U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland and Arctic security.
“Finland assumes that issues between allies should be resolved through discussion and shared rules of the game, not through pressure,” Stubb said, warning that tariffs would damage transatlantic relations and risk triggering a harmful spiral.
“Finland assumes that issues between allies should be resolved through discussion and shared rules of the game, not through pressure. Strengthening Arctic security together with the allies is important for Finland. This is also the goal of the activities in Greenland led by Denmark and coordinated by allies. The European countries are in agreement. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland. The dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would damage the transatlantic relations and could lead to a harmful spiral.”
His remarks follow President Donald Trump’s announcement that Denmark and several European countries could face escalating U.S. tariffs unless Greenland is sold to the United States. Trump has argued that control of Greenland is essential to U.S. national security and the protection of the Arctic.
Stubb said Finland supports strengthening Arctic security in cooperation with allies, noting that Danish-led activities in Greenland are coordinated within NATO and aimed at improving collective defense rather than threatening any country.
“Strengthening Arctic security together with the allies is important for Finland,” he said. “This is also the goal of the activities in Greenland led by Denmark and coordinated by allies.”
Finland’s statement aligns with similar responses from European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who have rejected tariff threats and emphasized sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity among European states.
“The European countries are in agreement,” Stubb said. “We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland.”
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Stubb said dialogue with Washington remains ongoing, underscoring Europe’s preference for negotiation over economic coercion.
“The dialogue with the United States continues,” he said. “Tariffs would damage transatlantic relations and could lead to a harmful spiral.”
European NATO members have increased their military presence and training activities in and around Greenland and the wider Arctic over the past year, citing growing strategic competition and the need to protect critical infrastructure and sea lanes in the region.
