JAKARTA - French Finance Minister Roland Lescure reminded his counterpart from the United States (US), Scott Bessent, that Greenland is a sovereign part of a sovereign country and should not be treated carelessly.
In a meeting with Bessent in Washington on Monday, Lescure expressed Europe's deep concern regarding US President Donald Trump's statement claiming Greenland.
"Greenland is a sovereign part of a sovereign country that is part of the European Union. It must not be played with," Lescure told the Financial Times.
He stressed that any attempt to annex Greenland would be considered a violation of a red line and potentially harm US economic relations with Europe.
However, Lescure avoided questions about the possibility of the European Union imposing sanctions if the US actually took over the island.
"If that happens, we will certainly be in a completely new world and have to adapt," he said.
Despite tensions with Washington over Greenland, tariffs, and EU regulations on technology companies, Lescure stressed that Europe still needs to work with the US.
President Trump has repeatedly said Greenland should be part of the US, citing strategic interests for national security and defense of what he calls the free world, including from China and Russia.
The Danish government and Greenland authorities have warned the US not to take over the island, stressing their hope that their territorial integrity would be respected.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953. The island remained part of the Danish Kingdom after gaining autonomy in 2009, with the authority to govern itself and determine its domestic policies
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