In an interview with VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’, the Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist) has said that he is in favour of dialogue with the United States about Greenland. However, this must be without threats and coercion. If the US is unable to do this, Europe should take stringent economic measures against the United States. "Our reaction should be strong, united and proportionate”.
Belgian Foreign Minister calls for dialogue “without threats or coercion” about Greenland
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President Trump’s claims on Greenland and his imposition of extra trade tariffs on European countries that have sent troops there are causing much irritation among European leaders. The Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot believes that it is high time that Europe shows its teeth.
"To be honest humiliation is not an option. We deserve respect. If this is not forthcoming, we should respond in a meaningful and united way”.
Mr Prévot added that we should also consider activating the so-called “bazooka”, a package of retaliatory economic measures to be taken at an EU level. “Our reaction must be strong, united and proportionate”.
An ally or not?
But is the US still our ally? “China and Russia are certainly not our natural allies. So yes, the US is still the ally of the whole of Europe, but it certainly doesn’t have same attitude as before. We need to redefine our relationship. I dare to hope that the prospect of the EU's bazooka will open up space for dialogue, so that the threat disappears.”
Mr Prévot believes that Europe should no longer be naïve when it comes to its dealings with President Trump. "We must analyse various options to command respect and take countermeasures if necessary”.
Mr Prévot, the Federal Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) and King Filip are to travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum this week. Mr Prévot hopes that President Trump will be there too. This would provide an opportunity to make it clear to the US president that “the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland”.
Mr Prévot calls the US response paradoxically in this regard. “The US has asked for more attention to be paid to security concerns in the Arctic region. That is why NATO allies, including Belgium, have decided to send soldiers to Greenland on a reconnaissance mission to explore the possibilities for an enhance military presence to act as a deterrent in the future”.
“The Americans saw this as an anti-American move. That is incorrect, because we are simply taking our collective responsibility to improve the security of this area. The American threats are unnecessarily aggressive. Let us return to dialogue and de-escalation. Otherwise, Europe will have no choice but to defend its integrity, respectability and credibility.”