Greenland Acquisition Dispute: United States President Donald Trump has taken his obsession over Greenland, a territory of Denmark, to new heights. In his second term as the President of USA, Trump has reignited his quest to acquire Greenland. Trump labelled Greenland as a “national security imperative” against Russia and China and insisted that ownership via purchase, compact or force is non-negotiable for him.
Recently, Trump remarked that he would not shy from imposing tariffs on any country that comes in his way to acquire Greenland.
Interestingly, some of the countries that have opposed Trump’s obsession include Germany, Canada, Denmark and the United Kingdom. Other countries opposing Trump’s obsession include Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, France and the Netherlands.
A joint arctic NATO mission was recently proposed by Germany to counter the ambitions of Trump. The United Kingdom offered the deployment of troops and Italy has aligned against US takeover but only after ridiculing European efforts. Protests are already planned in Denmark and Greenland.
Canadian PM Issues Warning
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a sharp warning to Trump, urging USA to back off Greenland. Carney warned that such attempts could fracture the Western alliances.
Denmark, Greenland and USA Meeting
On Wednesday, senior White House officials, including the secretary of state Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance met the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark.
Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen remarked that the White House and Copenhagen have a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland.
French & German Soldiers Arrive In Greenland
In another development, military contingents from France and Germany arrived in Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked the initial contingent would be reinforced real soon with “land, air and sea assets”.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked that the deployment of additional European forces to Greenland would serve no purpose. Leavitt remarked it would not affect the decision of Trump on the Arctic territory.
NATO’s Looming Existential Crisis
NATO is in an existential crisis as the obsession of Trump clashes with NATO Article 5 solidarity. If Trump ends up imposing tariffs on NATO and other nations, they may cozy to BRICS or boost EU autonomy, which would erode the post-World War II order Trump once lauded.
Prediction markets bet on an action by Trump on Greenland in 2026-2027; many believe that Russia and China may sneak in the Arctic by then.
For global stability, compromise via bases-for-aid compacts offers escape; absent that, NATO’s soul hangs by a Greenland thread.