Trump’s remarks spark alarm in Copenhagen
Denmark has entered what officials describe as a state of full crisis mode after U.S. President Donald Trump once again suggested that the United States should take control of Greenland, citing national security concerns.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States needed Greenland for strategic reasons and questioned Denmark’s ability to defend the Arctic territory. The comments revived a long-running and controversial position that has repeatedly strained relations between Washington and Copenhagen.
Timing heightens concern after Venezuela operation
Trump’s remarks came just one day after a major U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the country’s president and his wife. The surprise intervention sent shockwaves through global capitals and heightened concerns among U.S. allies about Washington’s readiness to act unilaterally.
For Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense despite the island’s self-governing status, the renewed rhetoric triggered immediate political and diplomatic alarm.
Danish leadership pushes back firmly
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected the idea outright, stating that any suggestion of a U.S. takeover was unacceptable. She emphasized that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and covered by NATO’s collective defense guarantees.
Frederiksen urged Washington to stop threatening a close ally, stressing that Greenland has clearly stated it is not for sale. She also highlighted existing defense agreements that already grant the United States broad access to the territory.
Greenland leaders reject U.S. rhetoric
Greenland’s prime minister condemned Trump’s comments as disrespectful. Opinion polls consistently show strong opposition among Greenlanders to U.S. control, while support for eventual independence from Denmark continues to grow.
In recent months, Copenhagen has increased spending on healthcare, infrastructure, and Arctic defense in Greenland, while also attempting to defuse tensions with Washington. Danish officials have made clear, however, that sovereignty is not negotiable.
Rising geopolitical risk in the Arctic
Political analysts warn that renewed pressure over Greenland could pose a serious risk to transatlantic unity. Some argue that escalating tensions over the Arctic territory could undermine NATO and EU cohesion more than other ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Trump has previously refused to rule out the use of military or economic pressure to gain control of Greenland. His recent appointment of an envoy supportive of U.S. control has further strained relations with both Danish and Greenlandic authorities.
Uncertainty ahead for U.S.–Europe relations
As tensions rise, Denmark faces the challenge of defending its territorial integrity while managing relations with its most powerful ally. With Arctic security, critical minerals, and great-power competition increasingly intertwined, Greenland is rapidly emerging as a major flashpoint in global politics.
