European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (January 20) that the bloc's executive arm is working on a package to support Arctic security and warned that tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland are a mistake.

"Arctic security can only be achieved together, and this is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies," von der Leyen said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Trump has intensified his push to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark, prompting the European Union to weigh hitting back with its own measures.

Von der Leyen said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland is non-negotiable and that work is underway to boost security in the high north.

The Commission president also said the EU will work with the U.S. and other partners on wider Arctic security, adding that the planned surge in defence spending could be used on a "European icebreaker capability and other equipment vital to Arctic security."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

EU'S VON DER LEYEN SAYING EUROPE IS FULLY COMMITTED TO SECURITY OF ARCTIC REGION AND SHARES OBJECTIVES OF UNITED STATES

SHOWS: DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (JANUARY 20, 2026) (WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - Access All)

1. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN TAKING STAGE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"When it comes to the security of the Arctic region, Europe is fully committed. And we share the objectives of the United States in this regard."

3. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"And above all, that Arctic security can only be achieved together. And this is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies."

5. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING: (STARTS WITH WIDESHOT OF STAGE)

"We consider the people of the United States not just our allies, but our friends. And plunging us into a downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape. So our response will be unflinching, united and proportional."

7. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"And this is why we are working on a package to support Arctic security. First principle: full solidarity with Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. The sovereignty and integrity of their territory is non-negotiable. Second, we're working on a massive European investment surge in Greenland. We will work with Greenland and Denmark hand-in-hand to see how we can further support the local economy and infrastructure. Third, we will work with the United States and all partners on wider Arctic security. This is clearly in our shared interest, and we will step up our investment."

9. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"In particular, I believe we should use our defence spending surge on a European icebreaker capability and other equipment vital to Arctic security."

11. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"Finally, I believe Europe needs to adjust to a new security architecture and realities that we are now facing. And this is why Europe is preparing its own security strategy, which we plan to publish later this year, and as part of this, we are upgrading our Arctic strategy, too. And at the heart of this will be the fundamental principle: it is for sovereign people to decide their own future"

13. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"Europe must speed up its push for independence, from security to economy, from defence to democracy. Having the dialogue with our friends and partners, also if necessary with adversaries. The point is that the world has changed permanently, and we need to change with it."

15. VON DER LEYEN SPEAKING

16. VON DER LEYEN SHAKING HANDS WITH WEF CEO, BORGE BRENDE