BERLIN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday stressed the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity regarding the Greenland issue, adding that "we want to hold our ground as a country and as a continent."
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz said Denmark and the people of Greenland can "count on our solidarity." While Germany is ready to support talks with Washington, the basis of these talks must always be the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, he stressed.
Tariff threats would weaken transatlantic relations, Merz said, warning against a risk of escalation.
He said while U.S. consumers would ultimately pay the price of such duties, they would also damage the European and German economies.
German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius on Monday also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs, calling the move "unacceptable" and warning of a further escalation in trade tensions.
Kornelius said at a press conference in Berlin that Trump's latest threats would escalate the trade conflict, noting that there can be no winner in such a confrontation.
The European Union is determined to react with effective countermeasures, including retaliatory tariffs, he said. ■
