Brussels, Jan 19 (NationPress) EU leaders are convening for an urgent summit this Thursday to deliberate on the recent threats from the United States concerning Greenland, as stated by European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill on Monday.

The focus of the summit will be to evaluate potential countermeasures against the suggested tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at nations that oppose his intention to "acquire" Greenland.

Gill emphasized that the EU is committed to engaging "at all levels" with Washington regarding these new tariff threats and is taking "every possible step" to safeguard the economic interests of the bloc. He mentioned that utilizing the anti-coercion instrument remains a possibility, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

While stressing that the priority is to maintain dialogue rather than escalate tensions with the United States, he added, "if the threatened tariffs are enacted, the European Union possesses the necessary tools and is ready to respond."

On Sunday evening, EU ambassadors held an emergency meeting in Brussels focusing on Trump’s tariff threat and the potential responses.

European officials indicated a preference for negotiations, although one official and a diplomat acknowledged that retaliation is under consideration, according to media reports.

They revealed that a list of counter-tariffs amounting to 93 billion euros could be activated, targeting U.S. products. This list was compiled last year.

Trump asserted on Saturday that the United States "requires Greenland for national security." He warned that if an agreement isn't reached, tariffs would be implemented.

In a social media announcement, Trump specified that these levies would initiate at 10 percent in February and escalate to 25 percent by June, affecting several European nations.

During NBC’s Meet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the administration’s position, stating, "President Trump firmly believes we cannot outsource our security."

Bessent described Greenland as "crucial to U.S. national security," arguing that U.S. governance would be "beneficial for Greenland, advantageous for Europe, and in the best interest of the United States."

European leaders have dismissed this rationale, with Denmark and Greenland asserting that the territory is not available for purchase.

On ABC’s This Week, the situation was characterized as coercive. European officials cautioned that such pressure tactics could harm trust in the long run.

On CBS’ Face the Nation, Senator Mark Warner stated that the approach was "undermining our closest allies," warning that it could benefit both Russia and China.

Republican Congressman Mike Turner expressed concerns, indicating that there was "no authority" for the U.S. to seize land from a NATO ally. He warned that this incident has already created "tension among the alliance," emphasizing that U.S. strength relies on robust partnerships.

On CNN’s State of the Union, former Vice President Mike Pence referred to Denmark as "a very strong ally of the United States." He cautioned that this dispute "could jeopardize that strong relationship," with implications for all NATO allies.