"This Is a Joke": Italy Slams Symbolic Troop Deployment to Greenland After US Pressure

Following US President Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, European countries have united. Several NATO member states have launched a joint military exercise called Operation Arctic Endurance.

For this exercise, France has sent 15 soldiers to Greenland, who are from the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade. Germany has sent a team of 13 soldiers. Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have each deployed two soldiers.

Britain has sent one military officer. Sweden has also confirmed sending troops, although the number has not been made public. In total, in addition to the Danish troops already present, approximately 35-40 military personnel have arrived from European countries. Meanwhile, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has described the entire operation as a joke.

Possibility of a large-scale troop deployment in Greenland

Denmark already has approximately 200 soldiers stationed in Greenland. In addition, a 14-member Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is also present, which patrols the Arctic regions.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that these forces will be further reinforced in the coming days by land, air, and sea. The number is small, but it is intended to send a political message that NATO is united.

Operation Arctic Endurance, led by Denmark, is a military exercise. Its purpose is to assess the preparedness for a potential large-scale troop deployment in Greenland in the future. According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the exercise focuses on enhancing coordination and interoperability among allied countries in the Arctic region.

There are plans for an even larger mission in the future, called Operation Arctic Sentry. This will be a NATO mission. Its objective is to increase surveillance in and around Greenland and strengthen the capacity to provide a military response to any threat.

However, this mission will not begin immediately. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Operation Arctic Sentry may take several months to launch. This means that no major new military mission has been launched in Greenland yet; rather, preparations and planning are underway.

Poland and Italy distance themselves from the mission

Some of NATO's major military powers have distanced themselves from this mission. Poland, Italy, and Turkey refused to send troops to Greenland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk clearly stated that his country would not send soldiers.

In fact, Poland's biggest concern is its eastern border with Russia. Poland wants to keep its military strength focused there.

There is no collective NATO directive regarding troop deployment in Greenland. Each country is making decisions based on its own security priorities and resources.

European countries prepare to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US

On the other hand, the European Union is preparing to respond to the tariffs imposed by Trump. The EU is seriously considering imposing trade restrictions on the US.

For this, the EU is considering using a special legal instrument, informally known as the "trade bazooka." Its purpose is to take strong action against countries that try to exert undue economic pressure on European countries.

EU demands to put 0% tariffs on US products on hold

European Union (EU) lawmakers are preparing to block the approval of the trade agreement with the US. European People's Party (EPP) chairman Manfred Weber posted on social media platform X on Saturday that approving the agreement with the US is not possible due to Trump's threats regarding Greenland.

Manfred Weber said on social media that the EPP was in favor of the trade agreement, but due to Trump's threats regarding Greenland, approval is no longer possible. He called for putting the 0% tariffs on US products on hold.

Other groups in the European Parliament are also demanding that the agreement be frozen. If a consensus is reached on the decision, the agreement could be halted. Trump imposes 10% tariffs on 8 European countries

Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on eight European countries. These countries were protesting against the US threat to acquire Greenland.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would be subject to the tariffs. The tariffs will take effect on February 1.

He warned that if no agreement is reached with the US regarding Greenland, the tariff would be increased to 25% on June 1.  Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs on these countries during a meeting at the White House on Friday.