Bramer: U.S. pressure could lead to NATO's collapse

As tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump, whose ambitions to secure Greenland are growing, and eight European countries that have expressed opposition escalate, concerns that the situation could develop into tariff clashes are increasing.

Ian Bremmer, who leads the U.S. research firm Eurasia Group, said in an interview at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting (Davos) held in eastern Switzerland that if Trump continues to apply pressure, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) could bring an end to itself. He also predicted that European countries, in order to contain the United States, would shift strategic cooperation toward China. The interview is as follows.

Reporter: What is your view on Trump’s demand for Greenland—could it lead to the collapse of NATO?

Ian Bremmer: If Trump continues to demand territory and does not back down, that would mean the end of NATO. However, this move is also very unpopular within the United States itself. The public does not support it, and no legitimate justification has been presented. This is behavior driven by Trump’s vanity and selfishness. If the divergence between national interests and the president’s personal interests becomes too obvious, it will become a major problem.

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