Former US President Donald Trump has reignited a diplomatic firestorm by forcefully reiterating his desire for the United States to acquire Greenland, while simultaneously downplaying the potential fallout with the NATO alliance.
"They Need Us More Than We Need Them": Trump's NATO Stance
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump was asked whether his push to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory could damage relations with NATO. His response was blunt. "If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO," Trump stated. "But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now."
He further questioned the alliance's reliability, suggesting its value to Washington was not guaranteed. "I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would," he added, overlooking that NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause was invoked to support the US after the 9/11 attacks.
Greenland's Security and an "Inevitable" Takeover
Trump framed his pursuit of Greenland, home to roughly 57,000 people, as a pressing national security necessity. He warned that if America did not act, rivals would. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will. And I'm not going to let that happen… One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland," he declared.
He mocked the island's current defences, which are the responsibility of Denmark, saying they amounted to "two dogsleds" in the face of Russian military activity. Trump acknowledged he had not yet made a formal offer to Denmark or Greenland but insisted, "Greenland should make the deal." He has previously not ruled out using force, stating a deal would be "easier" but warning, "if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way."
European Allies Rally Behind Denmark
The comments have intensified a growing standoff with Copenhagen and drawn sharp rebukes from European partners. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country faces a "decisive moment" and is prepared to defend its principles of international law and self-determination.
Denmark's ambassador to the US, Jesper Møller Sørensen, publicly countered claims that America defended Greenland in WWII when Denmark could not, stressing that only Greenlanders should decide their future.
Support for Denmark has come from key NATO members:
- Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned "threatening rhetoric," warning a US takeover would violate international law.
- Germany reiterated that Greenland's future must be decided by its people and Denmark, while acknowledging Arctic security concerns.
Polls indicate overwhelming opposition to a US takeover among Greenland's population. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but relies heavily on Danish financial support. The US already operates the Pituffik Space Base on the island, a strategic asset in the increasingly contested Arctic region.
