Trump’s Greenland remarks test NATO unity and international law

Political analysis

Danish F-35 fighter jets fly over Greenland.
Rune Dyrholm/det danske forsvaret

This is an op-ed written by an external contributor. All views expressed are the writer’s own.

Donald Trump’s latest remarks regarding Greenland have once again brought an issue to the forefront that extends far beyond relations between the United States and Denmark. It strikes at the very heart of international law, national sovereignty, and the credibility of NATO.

Greenland is far more than a strategically important island in the Arctic. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with the right to self determination and a population that has repeatedly made clear that its future cannot become the subject of negotiations between foreign governments.

Washington’s national security argument is understandable given the Arctic’s growing strategic importance amid increasing competition among major powers.

However, the strategic value of a territory does not override the fundamental principles of international law, nor does it provide political legitimacy for statements suggesting that the sovereignty of an allied nation can be questioned.

For Norway, this issue carries particular significance. As an Arctic nation, a founding member of NATO, and one of Denmark’s closest partners in Northern Europe, Norway has a direct interest in preserving security and stability across the High North.

Cooperation among the Nordic allies has always been built on mutual trust, respect for internationally recognized borders, and a shared commitment to addressing common security challenges not on unilateral territorial ambitions.

Copenhagen’s firm position that Greenland is not for sale represents far more than a political response. It serves as a reminder that sovereignty is not a commodity and that the right of peoples to determine their own future remains one of the cornerstones of the international order.

Today’s geopolitical environment calls for greater unity among allies, not actions that deepen mistrust. The Arctic is already emerging as one of the world’s most strategically contested regions, with Russia and China expanding their presence and influence.

Creating divisions within the Western alliance would ultimately serve the interests of its geopolitical competitors.

Regardless of political calculations or campaign rhetoric, one principle remains clear: Arctic security cannot be strengthened by questioning the sovereignty of allies. It requires cooperation, mutual respect, and a firm commitment to the democratic values and legal principles that the Western alliance claims to defend.

For the people of Norway and for Northern Europe as a whole, the Greenland issue is not a distant diplomatic dispute. It is a reminder that lasting stability in the Arctic depends on allied unity, respect for international law, and unwavering support for the sovereign rights of every nation.