Denmark Scrambles as Trump Revives Bid for Greenland

The Danish government entered what officials described as “full crisis mode” after U.S. President Donald Trump again signaled that Washington may seek control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The renewed attention came only one day after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, an action that already had jolted diplomatic relations worldwide.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the United States “needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security” and argued that Denmark is unable to meet the island’s strategic requirements. The comments repeated similar statements he made to The Atlantic and immediately drew sharp responses from Copenhagen and Nuuk.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, writing on Facebook the same day, rejected any suggestion that Greenland could come under U.S. sovereignty. She stressed that the territory, along with Denmark, is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and is already covered by the alliance’s collective defense clause. “We have a defense agreement that grants the United States broad access to Greenland,” she stated, urging Washington to cease “threats against a historically close ally.” Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called Trump’s remarks “very rude and disrespectful.”

Strategic Appeal of the Arctic Territory

Greenland’s location between Europe and North America, combined with its mineral deposits and potential Arctic shipping lanes, has long attracted U.S. interest. Trump publicly floated the idea of purchasing the territory during his first term and, as recently as last month, named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Both Danish and Greenlandic authorities condemned the appointment, while Landry voiced support for bringing the island under American control.

Public opinion on the island remains firmly against U.S. annexation, according to multiple surveys. A strong majority of Greenland’s approximately 57,000 residents favor eventual independence from Denmark rather than any form of external administration. In response, Copenhagen has tried to strengthen ties with Nuuk by boosting health-care funding, committing to infrastructure projects, and expanding Arctic defense capabilities, including the planned purchase of 16 additional F-35 fighter jets.

Heightened Concern in Copenhagen

Political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said the latest U.S. statements have placed Denmark in “full crisis mode.” Mujtaba Rahman, the firm’s managing director for Europe, warned that a potential American intervention in Greenland now represents a leading threat to trans-Atlantic cohesion, surpassing challenges posed by other geopolitical flashpoints. He described market and political assessments of Greenland-related risks as “underpriced.”

Trump has not ruled out using economic or military measures to assert U.S. control over the territory. His administration’s posture gained additional attention after the Venezuelan operation, leading analysts to question whether Washington might deploy similar tactics in the Arctic. Katie Miller, wife of senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, fueled speculation by posting on X a graphic that overlaid the U.S. flag across Greenland with the caption “SOON.” The post followed the capture of Maduro and was widely interpreted as signaling future intentions.

NATO Dynamics and Legal Framework

Under existing arrangements, Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s defense, while the United States operates Thule Air Base in the island’s northwest under a bilateral agreement dating back to 1951. Because the Kingdom of Denmark is a member of NATO, an American move to alter Greenland’s status would engage alliance considerations and could test the mutual defense pact’s political foundation.

Frederiksen emphasized that any attempt to acquire Greenland would contradict both Danish sovereignty and the wishes of Greenland’s population, which elects its own parliament and manages most domestic affairs. The prime minister noted that Denmark already cooperates closely with the United States on Arctic security and argued that existing mechanisms are sufficient to address shared strategic concerns.

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Greenland held legislative elections on March 11, 2025, underscoring its autonomous political structure within the Danish realm. Turnout was high, and local parties reiterated commitments to increased self-rule rather than external control. The vote coincided with rising international interest in Arctic resources, intensifying debate over who should guide the island’s future.

Next Steps and Diplomatic Calculus

For now, Copenhagen is focusing on diplomatic channels to defuse tensions. Danish officials have sought reassurances that the United States will respect existing treaties and the principle of self-determination. However, Trump’s weekend remarks—and the Venezuelan precedent—have raised questions among European allies about Washington’s willingness to bypass traditional negotiation frameworks.

Analysts note that any formal U.S. bid to assume sovereignty over Greenland would require complex negotiations involving Denmark, Greenland’s parliament, and possibly NATO partners. Legal experts point out that international law grants significant weight to the preferences of the local population, suggesting that unilateral action would likely face formidable political and legal barriers.

As Danish leaders weigh options, the government has convened senior defense and foreign-policy officials to assess contingencies. Observers expect Copenhagen to accelerate previously announced investments in Arctic infrastructure and security, both to reassure Greenlanders and to signal its resolve to allies.

Whether Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland leads to concrete U.S. moves remains uncertain. Yet the episode has already strained relations within the trans-Atlantic alliance and underscored the strategic value that major powers place on the Arctic, a region where climate change is expanding access to resources and navigation routes.

Crédito da imagem: Odd Andersen | AFP via Getty Images