Trump Retreats: Credits EU Unity for Greenland Shift

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for stepping back from his claims on Greenland and the threat of new tariffs against Europe. Ahead of an emergency EU summit, Merz struck a notably moderate tone. He directly credited European unity for Trump's change in position. The former president had recently renewed historical U.S. interests in purchasing Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. This was paired with threats of tariffs on European goods. Merz stated that Europe's coordinated and firm response demonstrated that the continent would not be divided. This show of strength, he argued, led to Trump's diplomatic retreat on both issues. The chancellor's comments frame the outcome as a strategic win for EU solidarity. The emergency summit will now discuss ongoing transatlantic relations.