Berlin, 8 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday publicly called out US President-elect Donald Trump over his threat to seize control of Greenland, saying "the inviolability of borders applies to every country."

"Borders must not be shifted by force," Scholz said in Berlin. "This principle applies, and it is a foundation of our peaceful order."

Scholz was reacting to statements made by Trump on Tuesday, when he said he would not rule out using the military to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

Scholz said he had discussed the issue with fellow European leaders on Wednesday, reporting a "certain lack of understanding" regarding "current statements from the US" among the European partners.

"The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it is to the east or to the west of us," the German chancellor said.

"And every state must abide by it," Scholz continued, "whether it is a small country or a very powerful state."

"It is a fundamental principle of international law and a core component of what we call Western values."

Scholz also highlighted the importance of the Western defence alliance NATO, calling it "the central pillar of the transatlantic relationship."

During his press conference on Tuesday, Trump also made new demands for NATO allies to spend at least 5% of their gross domestic product on defence, up from the current 2% goal.

"One thing is clear," Scholz said. "The security situation in Europe will remain very tense for the foreseeable future. We must respond to this in a calm and resolute manner."

Trump, who will take office for a second term on Jan. 20, has repeatedly expressed an interest in the island of Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory.

His latest comments sparked indignation around the world, including from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Egede arrived in the Danish capital Copenhagen on Wednesday for talks with Danish King Frederik X. Greenland is set to hold a general election this year, and independence from Denmark is a major topic in the election campaign.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that the European Union must defend itself better against attacks on its sovereign borders, in response to Trump's statements.

"We are a strong continent, we must become stronger," Barrot said on the French radio station France Inter.

"It is out of the question that the EU allows other nations of the world, whoever they are, and I would even say starting with Russia, to attack its sovereign borders," he said.

Barrot said the European Union must wake up and strengthen itself militarily, and should not be intimidated or made to feel insecure.

"If you are asking me whether I think the US will invade Greenland, the answer is no," he said, adding that the United States does not have an imperialistic nature.

"Have we entered an era in which the law of the jungle is returning?" he asked, "the answer is yes."