The European member states of the European Union (EU) and NATO often behave as vassals of the United States and its president, Donald Trump. This was evident when most European leaders avoided criticizing the US military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro, despite being a blatant violation of international law.
This persistent weakness, also displayed by the European Commission, erodes the international credibility of the EU, especially towards the so-called Global South, and reinforces the validity of criticisms against Western double standards in international relations.
Trump's insistence on seizing the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, without ruling out the military option, has only been openly criticized by a minority of EU and NATO members, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. The fear of upsetting Trump and having the United States disengage from the war in Ukraine paralyzes most European leaders.
“"The more European countries behave like colonies, the more they will be treated as such."
Although 56% of Greenlanders favor independence, the massive 85% rejection of joining the US is much stronger, according to the Verian center. The Trump Administration, to circumvent this rejection, is working on a proposal for a free association agreement, similar to what the US has with Pacific islands like the Marshalls.
