Trump keeps military option on table as allies rally behind Denmark over Greenland
Donald Trump, the United States president, has once again stirred trans Atlantic tensions after the White House confirmed that his administration is discussing a range of options to acquire Greenland, including the possible use of the military.
In a statement to the BBC, the White House described Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and a fellow NATO member, as a national security priority for the United States. The comments came just hours after several European leaders publicly lined up behind Denmark, rejecting any attempt to pressure or coerce the Arctic island.
Read also: Greenland says that is enough as Trump revives annexation idea
“The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal,” the White House said.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States “needs” Greenland for security reasons, citing rising global competition in the Arctic. Over the weekend, his remarks prompted a sharp warning from Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister, who said that any American attack on Greenland would effectively mark the end of NATO, the alliance built on mutual defence among its members.
Read also: Trump appoints envoy to Greenland as Denmark, the island leaders push back
Behind closed doors, however, US officials have sought to calm fears of an imminent military move. Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, told lawmakers during a classified briefing on Monday that the administration did not plan to invade Greenland, according to the Wall Street Journal and other US media. Instead, Rubio reportedly raised the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark, reviving a proposal Trump first floated during his earlier presidency.
A state department spokesperson later told the BBC that Washington was focused on cooperation rather than confrontation. “The US is eager to build lasting commercial relationships that benefit Americans and the people of Greenland,” the spokesperson said, adding that “our common adversaries have been increasingly active in the Arctic”.
Read also: Trump insist on force to acquire Canada, Panama, Greenland
Denmark and Greenland have requested urgent talks with Rubio to address what Copenhagen has described as misunderstandings. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmark’s foreign minister, said direct dialogue with Washington should help defuse the situation.
On Tuesday, leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark issued a joint statement firmly backing Copenhagen. “Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” they said, stressing that Arctic security must be pursued collectively within Nato and in line with international law.
The statement also reaffirmed commitment to the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, principles now at the centre of a dispute testing the unity of the Western alliance.
