The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is considering "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including the use of military force, setting off alarm bells across European capitals and straining the NATO alliance.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Tuesday that "utilizing the U.S. military is always an option," adding that "President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region."
The remarks came just days after the U.S. conducted a joint military and law enforcement operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, raising concerns among European allies that similar tactics could be employed elsewhere.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded with a stark warning, stating that an American attack on Greenland would effectively end NATO. "If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," Frederiksen declared. "That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War."
In a show of European unity, leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom joined Denmark in issuing a joint statement reaffirming that "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."
The controversy has also sparked opposition within the United States. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that using the military to acquire Greenland would "not be appropriate." Senator Ruben Gallego announced he is introducing a resolution to prevent the U.S. from invading Greenland, while Republican Representative Don Bacon urged the administration to "stop the stupid 'we want Greenland BS'" and called on fellow Republicans to "universally oppose" any military action.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller attempted to downplay the military rhetoric, stating "Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland." Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers during a closed briefing that the administration's goal is to purchase Greenland from Denmark through negotiation.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is strategically located in the Arctic and is home to the U.S. Thule Air Base. The island has gained increasing geopolitical importance due to its proximity to potential Arctic shipping routes and its vast mineral resources.
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