United States President Donald Trump and his administration are actively exploring various strategies, including potential military action, to acquire Greenland. This controversial stance has triggered immediate and firm opposition from key European leaders, who assert the Arctic territory's status is not up for debate.
White House Pushes Greenland as Security Priority
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the discussions. She stated that the president and his advisers are reviewing "a range of options" to achieve what she labeled an important foreign policy objective. Leavitt emphasized that using the U.S. military remains a possibility under the president's authority as commander-in-chief.
The justification, according to the White House, centers on national security. Officials argue that control of Greenland is essential to counter U.S. adversaries in the strategically significant Arctic region. This position was reinforced by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. In a CNN interview on Monday, Miller claimed no nation would resist if America moved to seize Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. "It is the formal position of the U.S. government that Greenland should be part of the U.S.," Miller declared.
President Trump himself reiterated this goal in a Sunday phone interview with The Atlantic, stating the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland for defense purposes. He also hinted that U.S. actions in other areas, like Venezuela, could have wider repercussions.
European Leaders Unite in Firm Rejection
The remarks from Washington were met with swift and unified condemnation across Europe. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, speaking in Paris on Tuesday, left no room for ambiguity. "Greenland is an autonomous region that belongs to Denmark. Only Denmark and Greenland decide about its affairs," Stubb told Finnish media. He attended a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine.
President Stubb warned that ignoring international law in one region sets a dangerous precedent globally. He called for renewed respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights. "We stand behind Denmark," he added firmly.
This European solidarity was formalized in a joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. They collectively asserted that "it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland." The leaders also highlighted that Arctic security is a key priority for both Europe and transatlantic defense, noting NATO's increased focus on the area.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had earlier cautioned that any U.S. military action against a NATO ally would severely damage the alliance and the post-World War II security framework.
A Recurring Ambition with High Stakes
Since returning to the Oval Office in January 2025, President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to gain control of Greenland. He has previously stated he would not exclude using "military or economic coercion" to fulfill this goal. The latest comments signal a more concrete and confrontational approach, directly testing the unity of the Western alliance and challenging established norms of territorial sovereignty.
The situation creates a significant diplomatic rift at a time when transatlantic cooperation is considered crucial on other global issues. The firm European response indicates that any move by the U.S. towards Greenland would face formidable political and strategic resistance.
