A Danish member of the European Parliament, Anders Vistisen, delivered a blistering rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, condemning Trump’s stated plan to bring Greenland under U.S. control.
Speaking during a session of the European Parliament, Vistisen said:
“Let me put this in words you might understand: Mr. President… f*** off.”
He was quickly interrupted by the chair, who said the remark was not parliamentary and violated the chamber’s rules, according to reports from European media.
The outburst followed fresh attempts by a Trump ally to ease tensions in the dispute. Over the weekend, that ally told members of the U.K. Parliament he was traveling to London to “calm the waters” over Greenland.
Tariff threats tied to Greenland dispute
The confrontation comes amid a new round of tariff threats from Trump. On Saturday, Trump warned he would impose 10% tariffs starting Feb. 1 on multiple U.S. allies—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—after European partners voiced support for Greenland and increased military activity around the island. Trump also suggested those tariffs could rise to 25% if no agreement is reached that gives the United States control of Greenland.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Trump’s tariff approach, calling it “a mistake especially between long-standing allies.”
Von der Leyen: “A deal is a deal”
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland—an event Trump is expected to attend—von der Leyen questioned the reliability of U.S. commitments after Trump agreed last year not to impose additional tariffs on EU countries.
“The European Union and the United States have agreed to a trade deal last July,” von der Leyen said. “And in politics as in business – a deal is a deal. And when friends shake hands, it must mean something.”
She added that the EU’s response “will be unflinching, united and proportional.”
Trump repeats national security argument
Trump has repeatedly argued the U.S. must control Greenland for national security reasons, framing the island as strategically important amid competition with China and Russia. He has also claimed Greenland and European allies cannot adequately protect it.
“The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security,” Trump wrote in a social media post earlier this month. “It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”
