US Treasury defends Greenland strategy, reaffirms NATO commitment

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscored the importance of Greenland in America’s Arctic strategy while affirming the country’s unwavering commitment to NATO, in an interview with NBC News.

Against this backdrop, Bessent defended President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on eight European countries that oppose the US bid to acquire Greenland, saying the measure aims to prevent a future national emergency, Caliber.Az reports.

“It is a strategic decision by the president,” he added. “This is a geopolitical decision, and he is able to use the economic might of the US to avoid a hot war.”

When asked how a US annexation of Greenland would differ from Russia’s takeover of Crimea, Bessent said, “I believe that the Europeans will understand that this is best for Greenland, best for Europe and best for the United States.”

On whether countries can trust trade agreements under Trump, he noted that “the trade deal hasn’t been finalised, and that an emergency action can be very different from another trade deal.”

Asked whether Greenland or NATO is more crucial to US national security, Bessent called it a “false choice” and confirmed that “of course, we are going to remain a part of NATO.”

On January 17, Trump announced that imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face a 10% tariff, which he said would rise to 25% on June 1 if a deal to purchase Greenland isn’t reached.

By Jeyhun Aghazada