Bessent derides ‘the dreaded European working group’
The US Treasury secretary has questioned the EU’s ability to agree a firm response to Donald Trump’s tariffs threat, saying the bloc would likely form “the dreaded European working group” rather than take rapid action.
Scott Bessent warned US partners should take the president at his word about his intentions over Greenland, including proposed tariffs on European countries.
Asked if the EU could wield its so-called anti-coercion instrument, which would permit a rapid response to the threatened US tariffs, Bessent played down the likelihood of action.
“I imagine they will form the dreaded European working group first, which seems to be their most forceful weapon,” he told a small group of reporters in Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.
Starmer tries to keep attention on Ukraine peace
Sir Keir Starmer urged allies to keep focused on the Ukraine peace process, while reiterating that US tariff threats over Greenland are “completely wrong”.
In calls with the prime ministers of Italy and Canada on Monday, Starmer also emphasised the need for Nato to do more on Arctic security, which has been part of his push to placate the US president, according to a readout from Downing Street.
“The prime minister continued to underline the need to continue the good progress with allies to end the war in Ukraine, and to maintain steadfast support in the face of continued Russian aggression,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
During the calls with Giorgia Meloni and Mark Carney, the UK prime minister “said that it was in everybody’s interests to go further to deliver on Arctic security and that the UK stands ready to contribute fully alongside our allies through Nato”, the spokesperson added.
“He was clear as well that the use of tariffs against allies for pursuing collective security is completely wrong,” they said.
Starmer has not backed EU plans for retaliatory tariffs if Trump follows through on his threat, arguing a trade war would be in no one’s interest.
He is keen to maintain US support for an eventual peace deal in Ukraine that takes account of Kyiv’s concerns.
Denmark lands more troops in Greenland
Several planes carrying Danish troops and equipment landed in Greenland on Monday amid growing tensions with US President Donald Trump.
Pictures from the Greenlandic capital Nuuk showed dozens of soldiers disembarking from a commercial jet while a Hercules transport plane could be seen on a webcam landing at Kangerlussuaq, a former air base in central Greenland. A second Hercules was visible on a webcam at Nuuk airport later on Monday.
Danish defence forces have said “substantial” additional forces were on the way to the territory, on top of the more than 200 troops already present.