Trump Doubles Down on Greenland Ambitions, Deepening Tensions With Allies

US President Donald Trump has intensified his push to take control of Greenland, declaring there is “no going back” and calling the territory “imperative” for US and global security. Speaking at a White House news conference, Trump was asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland and replied, “You’ll find out.” He later said that “things are going to work out pretty well” and claimed there were “a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland.” The comments have drawn strong reactions from US allies. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a “shift towards a world without rules,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “old order is not coming back.” Trump’s planned arrival in Davos was delayed after a minor electrical issue forced Air Force One to turn back. The White House said he would travel on another aircraft, with the impact on his schedule still unclear.

Nato Questions and Military Signals

When asked whether a potential breakup of Nato was a price he was willing to pay for Greenland, Trump insisted that “nobody has done more for Nato” than he has and said the alliance and the US would both be “happy.” At the same time, he questioned whether Nato members would come to the US’s aid if required. Trump has not ruled out using military force. Asked directly whether he would use force to acquire Greenland, the president declined to comment. Nato currently has 32 member states and is bound by Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

Greenland and Europe Push Back

Greenland’s Minister of Industry and Natural Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, said Greenlanders were “bewildered” by Trump’s demands and reiterated that they do not want to become part of the United States, stressing their right to decide their own future. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union stands in “full solidarity” with Greenland and Denmark, calling their sovereignty “non-negotiable.” She also criticised Trump’s proposed tariffs as a “mistake.” Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on goods from several European countries if they oppose his plans for Greenland, and separately warned of a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne. Macron condemned the use of tariffs as leverage over territorial sovereignty and urged the EU to consider retaliatory measures, including the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument.

Rising Transatlantic Strain

Canada reaffirmed its “unwavering” commitment to Nato’s collective defence principle, with Carney saying his country fully supports Greenland and Denmark’s right to determine their future. European lawmakers are now weighing the suspension of approval of a US–EU trade deal agreed last year, a move that could further escalate already strained relations between Washington and Europe.