“There is no question that we need Greenland for the security of our country,” President Trump said. Credit: White House
Donald Trump’s flat-line declaration that “we need Greenland” has once again sent shockwaves across Europe and reignited long-standing concerns about US intentions for the strategically important Arctic island. The remarks, made in an interview with The Atlantic on January 4, come at a sensitive time, with Washington’s controversial actions in Venezuela raising concerns that international law is becoming secondary to raw power politics.
From Venezuela to the North Pole
European diplomats privately acknowledge that the US operation against Venezuela, which led to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, has changed perceptions in Brussels and other capitals. If Washington is prepared to act unilaterally in Latin America, many wonder if Greenland will be next. President Trump’s insistence that the island is essential to U.S. national security lends new urgency to these concerns.
“We need Greenland for our safety.”
President Trump said, “Greenland is definitely necessary for national security,” and emphasized that his interest in Greenland is not just a fancy phrase. Although he has previously pointed to Chinese and Russian activity in Arctic waters, the bluntness of this statement alarms European leaders, who see this as a direct challenge to established norms and alliances.
Denmark responds with an unusually resolute attitude
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded quickly and strongly. In a sharply worded statement, she rejected any suggestion that the island could be occupied by Washington. “The United States has no right to annex any part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” she said, stressing that Greenland, like the Faroe Islands and mainland Denmark, is not for sale.
Social media fuels tensions
The situation further escalated after a provocative post about X by Katie Miller, a prominent figure in the “Make America Great Again” movement. She shared an image of Greenland covered in American flags with the word “soon.” Given her close ties to President Trump’s inner circle, the post was widely interpreted as more than a tasteless joke.
Why is the message important?
Miller is not a voice from the fringes. She previously served as deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and is married to Stephen Miller, one of President Trump’s most influential advisers. For European officials, the post reinforced the sense that the idea of absorbing Greenland into the United States is still alive in the Republican establishment.
Greenland rebels
From Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen tried to calm nerves while staunchly defending the island’s status. “Our country is not for sale. Our future is not determined by social media posts,” he wrote. He stressed that relations between states must be based on respect and international law, not on symbolic acts.
Diplomatic notes from Washington
Denmark’s ambassador to the United States, Jesper Møller Sørensen, issued what he described as a “friendly reminder” that the two countries are close allies in NATO. He highlighted Denmark’s increased defense spending in the Arctic and North Atlantic, and emphasized Copenhagen’s commitment to shared security.
strategically valuable island
Greenland’s importance lies in both its geography and resources. As the world’s largest island not classified as a continent, it occupies an important position between North America and Europe. It is also rich in rare earth minerals, which are essential for modern technology and defense systems. The United States already operates the Pitufik military base there, a key element of its missile defense network.
Experts urge Europe to take Trump seriously
Security analysts have warned that President Trump’s comments should not be dismissed as abuse. Anna Wieslander of the Atlantic Council argued that the rhetoric about Greenland, coupled with his broader ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, represented a real strategic risk that Europe must confront.
limited room for maneuver
Behind closed doors, EU officials admit they have few options because Europe is heavily dependent on the United States for security. One senior source says the idea of US intervention in Greenland is “no longer conceivable”, giving a stark assessment of how much trust has been eroded.
Troublesome intelligence assessment
This fear is also reflected in Denmark’s domestic intelligence services. A recent report identifies the United States as a potential security risk and warns that Washington is increasingly exerting economic pressure even on allies, and is no longer ruling out the use of military force.
A warning that Europe cannot ignore
President Trump’s simple phrase, “We need Greenland,” now carries enormous weight. For European leaders, this is not just a comment, but a warning that the Arctic island will remain firmly in Washington’s sights, testing alliances and reshaping the balance of power in the north.
