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Eva Leopold

@evaleopold.bsky.social

Political Scientist. Analyst. Writer. Researcher. IR. MENA. Iraq. HR. World affairs. By necessity, some Swedish politics.

1,172 Followers  |  894 Following  |  1,814 Posts  |  Joined: 28.09.2023
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Posts by Eva Leopold (@evaleopold.bsky.social)

I believe that pressure and ultimatums on Denmark and NATO members as a whole to surrender Greenland are unlikely to work. Few to none would perceive any gains from doing so and this has become increasingly clear.

18.01.2026 21:15 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

The tariff dispute over Greenland will not affect NATO's cohesion, says German FM Johann Wadephul on German TV.

- There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes.

A level of ascertainty that raises questions.

18.01.2026 20:18 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Maybe taxing the rich would benefit both democracy and the environment?

18.01.2026 17:57 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting

Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting

Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting https://aje.news/ojit4f

18.01.2026 16:30 β€” πŸ‘ 61    πŸ” 21    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2

Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed

18.01.2026 17:29 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

I believe this is already in motion. Even though the press conference with Danish FM LΓΈkke Rasmussen and Norwegian FM Barth Eide today showed ministers acting with restraint and reiterating already announced positions, it's quite clear sharper countermeasures are being prepared in the background.

18.01.2026 17:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Trump's Greenland tariffs are "blackmail", says Dutch minister - DutchNews.nl Dutch foreign minister David van Weel on Sunday described plans by US president Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European countries because of their support for Greenland as β€œblackmail”, β€œincom...

UM David van Weel ocksΓ₯.

18.01.2026 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise β€žArct...

#Trump and #Greenland: Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
www.government.se/statements/2...

18.01.2026 15:19 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

More info:

18.01.2026 15:04 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

β–  If the EU Commission considers the US tariffs to be a form of economic coercion, it could, for example, stop US direct investment in the EU or stop US companies from participating in procurement.

β–  Any countermeasures must be supported by international law.

Source: EU

18.01.2026 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

β–  Examples of what the EU can introduce:

Trade barriers, tariffs, quotas.

Investment restrictions

Licensing requirements

Sanctions related to intellectual property rights

Financial restrictions, such as banking services.>

18.01.2026 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

try to influence political decisions and/or have actual or potential impact on the EU’s internal market or the EU’s external relations.>

18.01.2026 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The "bazooka” was decided on in 2023.

β–  The law gives the EU Commission far-reaching powers to protect the Union and its member states against economic coercion from third countries. The EU can decide on activation if third countries exercise economic coercion against the EU/member states, >

18.01.2026 14:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

President Macron will request use of the EU's anti-coercive instrument – ​​the so-called trade bazooka, the president's staff informed AFP. This will require a qualified majority among EU countries after the Commission has presented a final proposal.

18.01.2026 14:51 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

A source?

18.01.2026 00:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A good suggestion, however on somewhat shaky grounds as some EU countries, as well as the EU as a whole, have proven to be rather unreliable in being clearly opposed when other violations of international law have been committed elsewhere.

18.01.2026 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
17.01.2026 23:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Newborn baby becomes eighth to die of hypothermia in Gaza this winter Despite the ceasefire, more than 100 children have died in the territory since October

"A Unicef spokesperson, James Elder, said more than 100 children had been killed in the territory since the ceasefire came into force in October." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

17.01.2026 23:18 β€” πŸ‘ 287    πŸ” 151    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 7
Preview
Trump Wants Nations to Pay $1 Billion to Stay on His Peace Board The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least $1 billion.

Mafia takeover of America complete. Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Gaza Board of Peace they will have to pay $1 billion to be permanent members.

17.01.2026 22:10 β€” πŸ‘ 753    πŸ” 409    πŸ’¬ 124    πŸ“Œ 77

- It clearly shows that sending European troops to Greenland has helped, he says.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
EU-US trade deal β€˜on hold’ after new Trump tariffs The pact, designed to avoid hefty tariffs on European exports, cannot be passed in light of Washington’s threats against Greenland, lawmakers say.

β€œA landmark transatlantic trade deal will not be approved by EU lawmakers after U.S. President Donald Trump hit European countries with new tariffs as part of his efforts to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark” www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...

17.01.2026 21:21 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Danish media:

17.01.2026 21:39 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
- Vi lader os ikke afpresse, siger Sveriges statsminister - Vi lader os ikke afpresse. Kun Danmark og GrΓΈnland bestemmer i spΓΈrgsmΓ₯l, der vedrΓΈrer Danmark og GrΓΈnland.
17.01.2026 21:26 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

- It clearly shows that sending European troops to Greenland has helped, he says.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

but that they would cause so much political trouble if Trump invaded, he says.

Although the allied exercises in Greenland have been described as a demonstration of power towards Russia and China, an underlying motive has been to make it expensive for Trump to invade Greenland, he explains.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

it means that the European countries' strategy worked.

- Then it must mean that it has done harm to Trump. That the very few troops have had the effect that was desired: Not that they were a protection against an American invasion,

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Allied troops in Greenland have "done harm" [to Trump], says senior researcher, Mikkel Runge Olesen, at the Danish Institute for International Studies. When Donald Trump's punitive tariffs hit precisely the countries that have sent very few troops to Greenland in recent days,

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

- Danish FM Lars LΓΈkke Rasmussen says in a written comment that Trump's announcement "comes as a surprise."

- Europe will remain united while tariffs risk a "dangerous downward spiral," says Ursula von der Leyen.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

- Republican Senator Thom Thillis is criticizing Trump and thinks it's bad for America.

- President Emmanuel Macron calls the tariff threats "unacceptable" and stands by his military contribution to Greenland.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

🧡 Reactions to Trump's threats on increased tariffs:

- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors."

- European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.

17.01.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2