Over the past week, tensions between the United States, Denmark and Greenland have surged into a full-blown diplomatic standoff, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed drive to acquire Greenland — a vast, strategically located and resource-rich Arctic territory — meets stiff resistance from Copenhagen, Nuuk and key European allies.
Trump, who has long argued that Greenland must come under U.S. control to counter potential Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, has made increasingly forceful statements in recent days. On multiple occasions he insisted Washington “needs” Greenland and suggested the United States might take the territory “one way or another,” fueling deep concern among allies about the possibility of military coercion. Trump’s push has coincided with broader U.S. strategic planning in the region and was amplified by high-level rhetoric following a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
Greenland’s government responded sharply, declaring on January 12 that it cannot under any circumstances accept a U.S. takeover and reaffirming its status as part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Nuuk’s leaders said any defense of the island should occur through NATO rather than unilateral action, calling on the alliance to guarantee the territory’s security. Senior Greenland officials described talk of U.S. annexation as offensive and bewildering, stressing that Greenlanders are not for sale and want closer cooperation — not ownership — with Washington.
Denmark has aligned closely with Greenland’s stance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen reiterated that Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, warning that any U.S. attempt to seize the territory would undermine NATO’s foundations. European Union and NATO partners echoed this view; the European Commissioner for Defence and Space cautioned that a U.S. military takeover “would be the end of NATO” and highlighted Europe’s obligations to support Denmark under EU treaty commitments. German officials also emphasized allied unity and defended the right of Denmark and Greenland to determine their own future.
The diplomatic calendar this week reflects the deepening crisis. A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers is headed to Copenhagen to reinforce support for the transatlantic alliance and underscore that Congress does not endorse unilateral action against a NATO ally. Meanwhile, Danish and Greenlandic delegations are preparing to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to address the dispute directly.
At the heart of the controversy is more than a territorial quarrel: it has become a test of international norms and alliance cohesion. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has underscored the alliance’s role in Arctic security even as leaders grapple with the unprecedented specter of one member threatening to acquire territory from another. Diplomatic efforts this week are being watched closely in capitals across Europe and Washington, with many warning that the path forward will define transatlantic relations and the future of Arctic cooperation.
As the standoff unfolds, Greenland has also reaffirmed its commitment to democratic governance and international law, while Denmark has reiterated that its military would defend the island if necessary. With rhetoric showing no sign of abating, the situation remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in U.S.–European relations in recent decades.
