On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would not use force to take Greenland. He also withdrew the threat of tariffs against European countries, and stated that he and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had agreed on the framework for a future agreement on Greenland.
It's good that things have calmed down, and it's also a lesson for the coming years about how Europe should act, says Kristersson.
A united and clear Europe caused the US to back down and instead now hold discussions with Denmark about increasing the military presence.
“Not being blackmailed”
He calls the American rhetoric against Denmark, Greenland and other allies "threatening and mocking."
"The US demand to take over Greenland may have been softened yesterday, after clear European support for Denmark and Greenland. 'We will not let ourselves be blackmailed' was our clear message," says Kristersson.
When asked if there has been an awakening among European leaders that sycophancy and complacency do not affect Trump, he replies:
I believe there is a growing realization that we must clearly stand up for our own interests, even against the United States.
There is nothing to suggest that complacency is a recipe that works.
Kristersson does not know the content of what Trump and Rutte have agreed on. But he notes that these discussions must take place on Denmark's terms.
Is the US a friend?
When asked if the US is still a friend, Kristersson replies:
The United States is, of course, a friend in many ways. We appreciate that the United States is trying to contribute to the long-term security of Ukraine. But we cannot accept the mockery and the threats.
At the same time, he does not dare to trust that the tariff threat is off the table, even though it currently appears to be.
Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson warns against downplaying the danger.
"It's really not the time to breathe a sigh of relief. Trump has shown that he is constantly ready to make threats and demands of different countries. And that means that all of Europe needs to prepare for a very chaotic and anxious time," she says.
She thinks it was very good that many countries clearly opposed Trump's threats and demands. But she leaves it unsaid whether it was this united front that made him change his mind.
"Only he knows what really made him back down," she notes.
