U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he may impose additional tariffs on countries that do not support his plan for the United States to "obtain" Greenland.
This is the first time Trump threatened to use tariffs to acquire Greenland, according to U.S. media reports.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Friday that the U.S. threat to impose additional tariffs highlights the severity of the current situation.
The Danish Ministry of Defense announced on the same day that two Danish F-35 fighters and a French multi-role tanker transport aircraft had completed a training exercise in the southeastern part of Greenland.
Belgium announced on Friday the dispatch of one military person to Greenland to participate in a multinational joint task.
The German Ministry of Defense stated that it is considering sending Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft to Greenland.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said on Friday that Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be unconditionally respected.
He said Europe has witnessed the United States completely altering the foundation of its relationship with Europe, and the current situation demonstrates that Europe's security needs to be controlled by Europe itself.
Trump threatens nations not backing his Greenland plan with tariffs
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that the red line on protecting civilians in conflicts must not be crossed.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Abdullah briefed Wang on the regional situation and the UAE's position, saying the country is not a party to the war, has not participated in the current conflict, and should not be subjected to illegal attacks.
He expressed appreciation for China's consistent objective and impartial stance, adding that the UAE expects China to continue to play an active and important role in the current grave circumstances to prevent further escalation of regional tensions.
The UAE will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the country, Abdullah said.
For his part, Wang reiterated China's principled position on the current situation in Iran, noting that the spillover of war serves no one's interests and that the people of the region would be the ones to suffer.
He stressed that non-military targets related to energy, economy and people's livelihoods should not be attacked, and that the security of shipping routes must be safeguarded.
Wang noted that the UAE had worked for peace even before the conflict broke out, and that a recent foreign ministers' meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to overcome the current crisis and safeguard regional security, which China appreciates.
China backs the UAE's legitimate demands to safeguard its national security and supports countries in the region in their continued efforts to resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Wang said.
China will not give up hope for peace and will continue to play a constructive role, Wang said, adding that China will send its special envoy on the Middle East issue to the region to conduct mediation efforts to help bring the region back to peace and stability.
Wang also expressed hope that the UAE will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.
Chinese FM says red line on protecting civilians in conflict must not be crossed
