French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday joined European partners in expressing "full solidarity" over the Greenland issue, after U.S. President Donald Trump recently reiterated his call to take over the Danish autonomous territory.
"Greenland belongs to its people. Denmark stands as its guarantor. I join my voice to that of Europeans in expressing our full solidarity," Macron said on social media platform X.
"In Nuuk, I reaffirmed France's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland," said Macron, referring to his visit to Greenland in June.
On Sunday, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
"We have to have it (Greenland) and he (Landry) wanted to lead the charge," Trump said.
Trump's appointment of an envoy to Greenland has sparked strong diplomatic reactions in Greenland, Denmark and the European Union (EU). The United States has been accused of laying bare its covetous interest in the mineral-rich island.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, was granted home rule in 1979. In 2009, Denmark passed the Act on Greenland Self-Government, expanding the island's authority over its domestic affairs. However, Denmark retains authority over Greenland's foreign, defense and security policy, according to information on the website of the Danish Prime Minister's Office.
There is a U.S. military base in Greenland. Since taking office this year, Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the island and has said he would not rule out using military force to acquire it.
Macron joins European partners in expressing solidarity over Greenland issue
The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1 in December, down from November's revised 92.9, The Conference Board said Tuesday.
The figure is also lower than market expectations of 91.9, showing that U.S. consumers are more pessimistic about current business and labor conditions amid continued economic uncertainty as the year closes.
The Present Situation Index, based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, plunged 9.5 points to 116.8 in December. The Expectations Index, based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, held steady at 70.7, remaining below the recession threshold of 80.
Consumers' assessments of current business conditions turned mildly pessimistic in December, with 18.7 percent of consumers saying business conditions were "good," down from 21 percent in November, and 19.1 percent saying business conditions were "bad," up from 15.8 percent.
Consumers' views of the labor market were also weaker in December, as 26.7 percent of consumers said jobs were "plentiful," down from 28.2 percent in November, and 20.8 percent said jobs were "hard to get," up from 20.1 percent.
Looking ahead, consumers' outlook for income prospects was slightly less positive in December, as 18.4 percent of consumers expected their incomes to increase, up from 17.6 percent in November, while 14.7 percent expected their incomes to decrease, up from 12.5 percent. "Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics. However, December saw increases in mentions of immigration, war, and topics related to personal finances -- including interest rates, taxes and income, banks, and insurance, according to Dana Peterson, chief economist of The Conference Board.
U.S. consumer confidence index falls to 89.1 in December
