Tensions between the United States and the European Unioneased shortly before Thursday's emergency meeting in Brussels when Trump said at the World Economic Forum inDavosthat he would suspend the tariff threats andwould not use forceto take control of Greenland a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

Trump said Thursday that a deal had been reached with NATO's General Secretary Mark Rutte that would provide the US with "total access" to the Arctic island.

"We were successful by being firm,"European Commission chiefUrsula von der Leyensaid, referring to Trump's back-tracking overGreenland.

But the US president's threats badly shookEurope's confidence in its partner,EUofficials and leaders said.

"Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week," the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said as she arrived at the meeting.

"Things are quietening down and we should welcome that," French PresidentEmmanuel Macronsaid. "We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again," he told reporters, referring to "bazooka" trade sanctions the bloc had considered using.

Europe wont yield to 'bullies' Macron warns as Trump pushes Greenland claim

Goal remains stability

European Council President Antonio Costa said the leaders believed it was very important to preserve and cherish our transatlantic partnership, despite what he described as a period of unpredictability.

Costa also warned that the EU would stand up for its interests and will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies against any form of coercion.

Theemergencysummit, convened to reassess theEU-US relationship, did not reach any formal decisions, but Costa said the immediate priority was to implement the EU-US trade deal agreed in July 2025.

TheUnited Statesremains the EUs largest trading partner, and the goal remains the effective stability of the trade relations, he told reporters.

European lawmakers are likely to resume their workon the ratification of the trade deal now that Trump has taken back his threats,European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.

What is the EUs anti-coercion instrument and will it be used against Trump?

More support for Greenland

European Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyensaid Europe had invested too little in the Arctic and the security of the Arctic. She confirmed that the Commission wanted to double financial support for Greenland in the next EU budget from 2028 and would soon propose a comprehensive package of investments, without giving further details.

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was more than ready to discuss security cooperation in Greenland with the US, as long as it fully respects their sovereignty.

She called for a permanent NATO presence in the Arctic, including around Greenland.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Western allies would step up their presence in the region, without specifying how.

(with newswires)

Originally published on RFI