Former US President Donald Trump has once again asserted that the United States intends to secure control over Greenland, describing the vast Arctic territory as a strategic necessity while brushing aside concerns from allies about potential damage to NATO unity.
Trump's Air Force One Declaration on Greenland
The remarks were made to journalists while Trump was travelling aboard Air Force One from Florida to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on January 12, 2026. He stated he was open to negotiations but firmly maintained that American control was an inevitable outcome. “One way or the other, we are going to have Greenland,” Trump declared.
He justified the stance by arguing that inaction would allow rival global powers to gain influence in the resource-rich and strategically vital Arctic region. “If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen,” he said, despite no clear public indication from either Moscow or Beijing of such territorial ambitions.
Trump downplayed Greenland's own defence capabilities, quipping that it amounted to “two dog sleds,” while warning of powerful Russian and Chinese naval operations in nearby waters. When directly questioned about the consequences for the transatlantic NATO alliance, the former president was dismissive.
“If it affects Nato, it affects Nato. But you know, they need us much more than we need them,” he responded. He added that he had previously pressured NATO members to increase defence spending and mentioned his involvement in efforts to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Denmark's Prime Minister Issues Stark Warning
The comments triggered immediate concern across European capitals, where officials view them as a direct challenge to longstanding alliance norms. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded hours later with a strong cautionary statement.
She said Denmark faced a “fateful moment” and a critical crossroads due to Washington's posture towards Greenland and the broader Western alliance. “We are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment,” Frederiksen stated.
She issued a grave warning about the foundational principles of NATO being at risk: “What is at stake is bigger than what the eye can see... if what we experience from the Americans is that they are actually turning their backs on the western alliance... by threatening an ally, which we have not experienced before, then everything will stop.”
Diplomatic Channels Activated Amid Tensions
In response to the escalating situation, diplomatic activity is expected to intensify. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish and Greenlandic ministers in Washington. Concurrently, a delegation of US senators plans to travel to Copenhagen to engage with members of the Danish parliament’s Greenland committee.
Aaja Chemnitz, the chair of that parliamentary committee, welcomed the planned dialogue, calling it “good news.” She emphasized the importance of using diplomatic channels and stated there were “lots” of incorrect claims about Greenland circulating, making it “absolutely crucial we get some truths on the table.”
China has also reacted to the renewed debate, urging Washington not to use other nations as a pretext for advancing its own interests in the Arctic and calling for respect for international norms. The unfolding exchanges are poised to severely test diplomatic ties and alliance cohesion in the coming weeks.
