Criticism of Denmark and Security Claims
In a post published Monday on Truth Social, President Trump criticized Denmark, which administers Greenland, accusing it of failing to address what he described as security concerns involving Russia’s presence in the Arctic.
“Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it,” Trump wrote, adding, “Now it is time, and it will be done.”
Trump claimed that NATO has urged Denmark for decades to reduce security risks in Greenland, suggesting that the United States may step in if those concerns are not addressed.
Tariffs Linked to Greenland Dispute
The comments followed Trump’s announcement of new trade measures targeting several European countries. On Sunday, the administration revealed plans to impose a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
According to Trump, the tariffs—scheduled to take effect on February 1—will remain in place until what he described as a resolution to the Greenland issue. The White House has not provided additional details on how such conditions would be met.
European Response and Diplomatic Pushback
The move has drawn swift criticism across Europe. European Union ambassadors held emergency discussions over the weekend, and EU Council President António Costa issued a statement warning that tariffs would damage transatlantic relations and conflict with existing trade agreements.
Costa said the European Union is prepared to respond if necessary and confirmed that EU leaders will convene later this week to discuss the situation.
Several European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, released a joint statement emphasizing that military personnel deployed to Greenland as part of Operation Arctic Endurance are defensive in nature and do not pose a threat.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that dialogue with the United States remains ongoing but stressed that Denmark does not intend to alter its position under pressure. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide echoed that view, saying such economic threats are inappropriate among close allies.
Concerns Over NATO Relations
The escalating rhetoric has prompted concern among U.S. lawmakers as well. Republican Representative Michael McCaul warned that any attempt to take control of Greenland through military means could severely strain NATO and potentially undermine the alliance itself.
Speaking on ABC’s This Week, McCaul noted that the United States already has broad military access to Greenland under existing agreements. He said that while diplomatic or economic discussions are one matter, military action would fundamentally conflict with NATO’s core principles.
“Any move in that direction would turn Article 5 on its head,” McCaul said, referring to NATO’s mutual defense clause. “It could effectively end NATO as we know it.”
An Uncertain Path Forward
As tensions rise, officials on both sides of the Atlantic appear focused on preventing further escalation. While the Trump administration has framed the issue as one of national security and strategic interest, European leaders continue to emphasize diplomacy, sovereignty, and alliance unity.
For now, Greenland remains at the center of a growing international debate—one that raises broader questions about Arctic security, global alliances, and the future of U.S.-European relations.