President Donald Trump has argued that the United States needs control over Greenland to protect its national security interests, citing increased Arctic activity by China and Russia. Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump described the island as “so strategic right now” for US defence.
White House officials further escalated concerns on Tuesday by stating that the US military is “always an option,” a remark that intensified diplomatic unease among NATO allies.
Strong European Pushback
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded sharply, warning that any attempt by the US to take over Greenland would fundamentally undermine NATO. She stressed that such actions would mark an unprecedented breach between allies.
Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom joined Denmark in a joint statement reaffirming that Greenland belongs to its people. The statement defended the island’s sovereignty and emphasised that Greenland is a self-governing territory within Denmark.
Greenland and Denmark Seek Dialogue
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt have formally requested a meeting with Rubio in the near future. According to Greenland’s government, earlier attempts to arrange discussions with Washington were unsuccessful.
The move reflects an effort to de-escalate tensions through dialogue, even as concerns grow that rhetoric from Washington could destabilise long-standing alliances.
Existing US Military Presence
The United States already maintains a military footprint in Greenland through the Pituffik Space Base in the island’s northwest, a critical installation for missile warning and space surveillance.
Denmark has also expanded defence cooperation with Washington. In 2025, the Danish parliament approved legislation allowing US military bases on Danish soil, building on a 2023 agreement that granted American forces broad access to Danish airbases.
Experts Question Security Argument
Military analysts in Denmark have questioned the rationale behind a US takeover. Experts note that Washington already enjoys extensive security access in Greenland through existing agreements.
According to defence specialists, flying the US flag in Nuuk would not provide additional strategic advantage and could instead provoke political backlash and instability within NATO.
France Rejects Aggression Scenario
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he discussed the issue with Rubio, who dismissed comparisons between Greenland and recent US military actions elsewhere. Barrot emphasised that aggression against a NATO member would undermine the alliance itself.
European leaders have repeatedly stressed that Greenland is not for sale and that its future must be determined by its people alone.
Why Greenland Matters
Greenland is the world’s largest island, with over two-thirds of its territory inside the Arctic Circle. Its location has been central to North American defence since World War II and is becoming increasingly important as Arctic sea routes open due to climate change.
The island is also rich in minerals critical for modern technologies, adding an economic dimension to its strategic value.