Trump wants Greenland: can Europe stop him?
After US President Donald Trump reiterated his threats to take over Greenland, several European leaders have voiced opposition to the move. "It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," reads a joint statement by Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK and Denmark. Commentators discuss how Europe can respond.
Herbivore mentality
Europe is in danger of becoming prey in the new predatory world order, warns political scientist Gintas Karalius in LRT:
“The allegorical suggestion that Europe should be more aggressive and assert its interests more forcefully in strategic spheres of influence is occasionally voiced, but finds little resonance among political decision-makers. One reason for this is that they have the peculiar mentality of a gentle herbivore that doesn't allow for any projection of power. To give an example: no European politician would openly declare that Greenland is not just Denmark's business or a question of international norms, but also a pan-European zone of interest that must be defended. These communicative weaknesses only encourage potential aggressors.”
The US President has identified the weak spots
The US initiative highlights all that Denmark has failed to do in Greenland up to now, writes Jyllands-Posten:
“This is not about security. It's about business and power. The Americans could move all their military equipment to Greenland tomorrow if they wanted to. The 1951 agreement gives them the freedom to do so, but Trump has not wasted a single word on this fact. It's simply not enough for him. Instead, he is trying to drive a wedge between the Greenlanders and Danes, because his particular negotiating talent is above all geared towards identifying weaknesses. No, the relationship between Greenland and Denmark – and between the two populations – has not always been easy. … Moreover, successive governments have failed to maintain Greenland's defence, convinced that this was a task for the Americans.”
No one would help
The Financial Times lists reasons why Trump's threats should be taken seriously:
“First, because it would be easy. Much like 'Operation Absolute Resolve' in Venezuela, Trump could annex Greenland from the performative comfort of the situation room ... It would take an hour or two and risk no US casualties. ... Danes are no pacifists, resisting the superpower would be suicidal. Second, adding Greenland to his column would be lucrative. ... [T]aking Greenland would go down well with Maga ideologues, since it would kill Nato in one swoop. Denmark could invoke article V in which an attack on one is an attack on all. Since America leads Nato, the treaty would be void. No ally would come to Denmark's defence.”
Threatening annexation as a negotiation tactic
The US is threatening to annex Greenland in order to force Denmark and Europe to act, says Cătălin Buciumeanu, founder of the Centre for Advanced Strategies and Technology Innovation Cluster Inventikus, on Adevărul's website:
“Floating the notion of annexation ensures maximum room for manoeuvre in future negotiations. ...By toying with the 'annexation' option, the US can make massive concessions later without giving the impression of having caved. At the same time, it creates a state of emergency among the allies, giving them a little electric shock. Denmark and the EU must prove that they can secure and develop Greenland without creating a vacuum that rivals could exploit. The official reactions show that there already is a state of emergency at the political level.”
Fatal blow to the international order
Columnist Pierre Haski warns on France Inter of many new global uncertainties:
“In view of an emboldened and unscrupulous US president, the whole world must rethink its plans. ... What conclusions should Xi Jinping draw from this? Certainly not that the path to Taiwan is now free: what America does in its own backyard, it would not necessarily allow in Asia. The lesson is rather that China is not yet ready for a confrontation and must continue to arm itself. ... Trump has dealt a fatal blow to the international order that emerged from the Second World War. ... What happens next remains to be seen – but it will not be peaceful or fair.”
The ultimate test for Europe
Now we will see whether Europe is prepared to defend its sovereignty, Le Figaro concludes:
“If Colombia or Iran resist Donald Trump, he could view Greenland as easy prey: its 56,000 unfortunate inhabitants are isolated in an ice desert that is four times the size of France. Denmark's sovereignty? A compliant ally armed with American weapons that it cannot use without Washington's consent. So it is Europe that now faces a challenge. So far, Macron, Starmer and Merz seem to be looking the other way, but the moment of truth is approaching: following unilateral tariffs and Nato's subjugation, Europe now faces the ultimate test ”
EU must learn to deter Trump too
Die Zeit points to Article 42(7) of the EU Treaty:
“It states: 'If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.' To breathe life into this article, the defence ministers of the largest member states of the Union could travel to Copenhagen in the coming days and discuss in as much detail as possible what Denmark would need in terms of assistance in the event of an attack – and then make this available. ... We have entered the age of neo-imperialism. Until now, the EU's primary task has been to deter the Russian imperialist Vladimir Putin. Now it must learn as quickly as possible to deter the imperialist Donald Trump as well.”
Copycats will feel emboldened
On Facebook, political scientist Sergei Medvedev fears further territorial encroachments – not only from the US:
“A year ago, we laughed about the 'Gulf of America' and the demand to cede Greenland and the Panama Canal. But it's no longer funny. I wouldn't be surprised to read one morning about an American landing in Greenland (Denmark has already lodged an official objection to the frequent remarks by Trump's advisors), the creation of a 'security zone' on Mexican territory, or American battleships in the Panama Canal. But the main consequences will not be felt in America but around the world, where similar operations will be copied and expanded. Welcome to a new year of world war.”
Seek allies in the US
Berlingske calls on the Danish government to take action:
“Denmark can work to build stronger ties with the US Congress, which admittedly seems to be completely ineffectual under the Trump administration II. However, a coalition of Republicans and Democrats could well form a majority that would make it difficult for Trump to take action against Greenland and Denmark. Finally, Greenlandic politicians should be fully aware of the reality: this is not the time for further discussions about independence. Any move in this direction will increase the risk of Trump exploiting it to divide Denmark and Greenland.”
A much-coveted Arctic sea route
Greenland's location between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic has put it at the centre of a global power game, La Repubblica explains:
“What makes it so attractive is its location in an area where global warming is opening up new shipping routes. The legendary 'Northwest Passage' could accelerate global trade and create a shortcut between Asia and Europe – this is something China has long coveted, in fact so much so that in 2018 it even launched a 'Polar Silk Road'. ... Beijing has already announced plans to extend trans-Arctic traffic to Russia as a corridor for importing liquefied natural gas. This idea worries the Americans (and even NATO). Moscow maintains nuclear weapons bases and submarines in the Arctic. This enhances Greenland's potential role as a strategic controller of this corridor.”
Sweden must start mining rare earths
Expressen points to a specific step with which Sweden could help Denmark:
“Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the US needs to gain control of the island for security reasons. The fact that the glaciers conceal the world's largest deposits of rare earths is likely to weigh just as heavily in his calculations. Currently, 95 percent of rare earths are produced in China, which responded to Trump's tariffs with an export ban. ... If the government wants to ease the pressure on Copenhagen and Nuuk, there is one concrete measure it can take: it should give [the state-owned mining company] LKAB the green light to start mining the Per Geijer deposit in Kiruna and ensure Washington gets the message. Kiruna is home to one of the largest known deposits of rare earth elements in Europe.”