Trump admits intelligence may have been wrong after anger over EU troops in Greenland: Report

Former US President Donald Trump acknowledged that he may have received “bad information” regarding recent European military deployments to Greenland, according to a media report, following his repeated threats to seize the Danish territory.

Trump reportedly made the admission during a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday. During the call, Starmer criticised Trump’s proposal to impose new tariffs on European nations, including the UK, for supporting Greenland.

A British official told CNN on Monday that Danish diplomats had informed US authorities in advance about the military deployment.

A Danish source confirmed this account, stating that the deployment had been “pre-coordinated within existing European and US military structures,” in addition to prior diplomatic briefings.

Despite this advance communication, leaders of the 27-member European Union responded swiftly to Trump’s announcement that imports from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK would face a 10% tariff starting February 1, highlighting rising transatlantic tensions.

Four European diplomats told CNN that the deployment of Danish and NATO forces to Greenland for joint military exercises may have unintentionally triggered Trump’s tariff threat.

The deployments were intended to demonstrate that Danish-led operations could enhance Arctic security, rather than simply expand NATO’s footprint in the region.

EUROPEAN TROOP DEPLOYMENTS IN GREENLAND

Amid escalating tensions, European nations have deployed a limited number of military personnel to Greenland over the past week.

Currently, Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command hosts approximately 150 military and civilian personnel. Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands are sending staff to prepare for larger military drills scheduled later this year.

According to Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, around 200 US troops are stationed in Greenland, which has a population of roughly 57,000. While the full scale of the European military buildup has not been disclosed, the initial deployments remain relatively modest.

Germany is deploying a 13-member reconnaissance team through Copenhagen, working alongside Danish forces. Sweden has sent three officers, Norway two, France about fifteen mountain specialists, and one or two personnel each from the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.

EU CONSIDERS ‘TRADE BAZOOKA’ RESPONSE

In response to Trump’s threats, the European Union is considering invoking its most powerful trade defense mechanism, the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), designed to shield the bloc from economic pressure exerted by non-EU countries.

Under the ACI, the EU could impose counter-tariffs, restrict US access to the European Single Market, and bar American companies from bidding on major EU contracts.

EU leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the possible use of the ACI and other retaliatory measures, including a proposed tariff package targeting €93 billion worth of US imports. The package could automatically take effect on February 6 following a six-month suspension.