In a dramatic escalation of the Greenland saga, US President Donald Trump has firmly reiterated his ambitions to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, declaring that “there is no going back.” Ahead of his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump has shown no signs of backing down, even as his demands have drawn fierce criticism from European leaders.
The US president’s comments came in response to a question about how far he is willing to go to control Greenland, to which he cryptically replied: “You’ll find out.” This statement follows a warning from French President Emmanuel Macron about a “shift towards a world without rules,” and a remark from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that “the old order is not coming back.”
Trump’s dogged pursuit of Greenland has raised concerns about the potential impact on the transatlantic alliance. When asked by the BBC whether the possible breakup of NATO was a price he was willing to pay, Trump defiantly stated: “Nobody has done more for NATO than I have, in every way. NATO is going to be happy and we are going to be happy […] We need it for world security.” However, he also questioned whether NATO would come to the aid of the US if required, suggesting a rift in the alliance.
Greenland’s minister of industry and natural resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, expressed bewilderment at the president’s demands, stating: “We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that.” Nathanielsen’s remarks underscored the Greenlandic people’s desire for self-determination, a sentiment echoed by European leaders.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen directly addressed the matter, emphasizing that Europe is “fully committed” to the security of the Arctic and that Greenland’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also reaffirmed his country’s “unwavering” commitment to NATO’s Article 5, which outlines the collective defence principle.
As tensions escalate, Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on “any and all goods” imported from eight European countries if they oppose his proposed takeover of Greenland. This move has been condemned by French President Macron as “fundamentally unacceptable,” particularly when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.
The standoff over Greenland has emerged as a significant test of the transatlantic alliance, with European leaders standing firm in their support for Greenland and Denmark’s sovereignty. As the situation continues to unfold, the world will be watching to see whether Trump’s hardline approach will yield any concessions or lead to a further deterioration of relations between the US and its European allies.
