Denmark and Greenland Rally NATO Support as Trump Presses Greenland Takeover
Updated (3 articles)
Trump Intensifies Greenland Acquisition Campaign President Donald Trump announced the United States must take control of Greenland, labeling the island a strategic and mineral‑rich asset and proposing options from purchase to outright military force, warning he will act “whether Denmark likes it or not” [2]. The White House confirmed it is “discussing a range of options” and scheduled follow‑up diplomatic talks in Washington for the coming week [1][3]. Analysts note the rhetoric revives the 2019 proposal and raises the prospect of a unilateral move despite existing defense agreements [2].
Denmark and Greenland Assert Sovereignty and NATO Commitment Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Premier Jens‑Frederik Nielsen met in Copenhagen and Nuuk, stressing that Greenland remains an integral part of Denmark and is protected by NATO [1]. They warned a U.S. takeover would fracture the transatlantic alliance and could effectively end NATO, echoing earlier Danish warnings [2]. Greenland’s business minister described U.S. pressure as “unfathomable,” reporting that residents are fearful and children are afraid [1].
NATO and European Leaders Prepare Political Containment Strategy NATO Secretary‑General urged members to keep focus on Arctic security rather than internal disputes, emphasizing the alliance’s role in protecting the High North [1]. Experts cited in Newsweek argue a seizure would be technically swift because of the Pituffik Space Base, but would be handled as a political crisis, with Europe likely using diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and restrictions on U.S. military support [3]. NATO officials said the alliance would seek a negotiated compromise through the North Atlantic Council and bilateral channels [3].
Danish Parliament Greenlights Expanded U.S. Military Presence The Danish parliament approved a bill allowing additional U.S. military bases on Danish soil, expanding a 2023 agreement that already grants U.S. access to Danish installations [1]. The legislation signals formal legislative backing for deeper Arctic security cooperation despite the Greenland dispute. A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is scheduled to travel to Copenhagen to demonstrate unity over the issue [1].
Sources (3 articles)
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[1]
AP: Denmark and Greenland Leaders Stand United Against Trump Takeover: Reports joint Copenhagen‑Nuuk statements, upcoming White House talks, and Danish parliament’s approval of U.S. bases, highlighting unified resistance to Trump’s push.
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[2]
AP: US Weighs Options to Take Over Greenland: Details Trump’s demand for ownership, meetings in Washington, possible purchase or military action, and Danish PM’s warning that a takeover would end NATO.
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[3]
Newsweek: NATO Faces Political Crisis as Trump Eyes Greenland, Experts Warn of Limited Military Options: Analyzes NATO’s internal strain, experts’ view that a seizure would be swift due to Pituffik base, and Europe’s likely reliance on diplomatic and economic pressure rather than combat.
Timeline
1951 – The United States and Denmark sign a defense agreement that authorizes U.S. use of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, establishing a permanent American military foothold that includes the 12th Space Warning Squadron, an airfield and the northernmost deep‑water port. [1]
2023 – Denmark and the United States expand a security pact, formally permitting U.S. troops to operate from Danish soil and laying the groundwork for deeper Arctic cooperation and future base expansions. [2]
Jan 7, 2026 – President Donald Trump repeatedly declares that the United States must acquire Greenland for security reasons, prompting NATO officials to label the claim an internal threat that could test Article 5 commitments. The White House says it is “discussing a range of options,” including purchase or unilateral action. [1]
Jan 7, 2026 – Rasmus Sinding Søndergaard of the Danish Institute for International Studies notes that a U.S. seizure of Greenland could be executed quickly because the United States already controls Pituffik Space Base under the 1951 agreement. [1]
Jan 7, 2026 – European analysts predict the crisis will first be handled politically, with allies likely employing diplomatic isolation, economic pressure and restrictions on U.S. military support rather than open military confrontation. [1]
Jan 7, 2026 – NATO’s Roger Hilton says the alliance would seek a negotiated compromise through the North Atlantic Council, while Chatham House’s Marion Messmer outlines levers such as denying refueling, raising base fees or even closing installations that support U.S. operations. [1]
Jan 7, 2026 – Commentators warn the Greenland dispute exposes doubts about U.S. reliability, linking it to Trump‑era pressure on NATO defense spending and a National Security Strategy that prioritizes the Western Hemisphere over Europe. [1]
Jan 10, 2026 – Trump states unequivocally that the United States “must take control of Greenland” and threatens to act “whether Denmark likes it or not,” signalling a willingness to use force if diplomatic routes fail. [3]
Jan 10, 2026 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warns that an American takeover would “mark the end of NATO,” underscoring the alliance’s existential stakes in the dispute. [3]
Jan 10, 2026 – Diplomats from the United States, Denmark and Greenland meet in Washington and schedule a follow‑up session to explore options ranging from a purchase to a Compact of Free Association‑style security arrangement. [3]
Jan 10, 2026 – Analysts caution that a military seizure could plunge NATO into a full‑scale crisis, fundamentally reshaping Arctic security dynamics. [3]
Jan 13, 2026 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Premier Jens‑Frederik Nielsen publicly affirm that Greenland remains part of Denmark and is protected by NATO, warning that a U.S. takeover would fracture the transatlantic alliance. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – Trump reiterates multiple acquisition options, including military force, and dismisses Greenlandic leaders’ concerns as “their problem,” heightening diplomatic tension. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – Greenland’s minister for business and mineral resources calls U.S. pressure “unfathomable,” noting that residents are anxious, children are afraid and many are unable to sleep. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – The Danish parliament passes legislation expanding the 2023 agreement to allow additional U.S. military bases on Danish soil, providing formal legislative backing for closer Arctic security cooperation. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – NATO Secretary‑General urges members to avoid internal politics and focus on protecting the High North, framing the Greenland dispute within broader Arctic security priorities. [2]
Jan 13, 2026 – A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation travels to Copenhagen to meet Danish officials, signaling an attempt to showcase U.S.–Denmark unity despite the escalating Greenland controversy. [2]