The president of the United States, Donald Trump, once again marked his strategic position on Greenland by stating that the time has come to eliminate the "Russian threat" in that territory. The head of state held Denmark directly responsible for not having acted in two decades and stressed that the United States will take the initiative. "For 20 years, NATO has told Denmark that it must eliminate the Russian threat from Greenland. Unfortunately, Denmark has not been able to do it. The time has come, and it will be done", he declared on Truth Social.
The statement reactivated the geopolitical debate around the Arctic, a key point for Atlantic security and for the strategic competition with Russia and China. Trump insisted that the only way to prevent a possible foreign occupation is for the United States to control the island, and he assured that this objective will be achieved "by fair means or foul."
Tariffs as a tool of pressure
As part of his strategy, Trump announced a 10% tariff starting February 1 for products from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark, all NATO members with military deployment in Greenland. The head of state warned that if European governments do not support the U.S. position, the tariff could rise to 25% in June.
Trump exige acción sobre Groenlandia y acusó a Dinamarca de permitir crecer la amenaza rusa en la zona
The measure caused immediate alarm in Brussels. The president of the European Council, António Costa, confirmed that he will call the member states to an extraordinary meeting to coordinate a joint response to Washington's decision.
A direct letter to Norway and a political message
Meanwhile, Trump sent a letter to the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, linking his position on Greenland to the Norwegian committee's refusal to award him the Nobel Peace Prize. He pointed out that, since he has not been recognized despite having stopped eight wars, he no longer feels obliged to maintain an exclusively peaceful stance, but rather to prioritize what he considers best for the United States.
Trump exige acción sobre Groenlandia y acusó a Dinamarca de permitir crecer la amenaza rusa en la zona
The message caused discomfort in Oslo, although Støre acknowledged that he had received the text as a response to his own request for de-escalation and dialogue. According to his explanation, he and the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, had requested a conversation to halt trade tensions, but Trump decided to share his response with other NATO leaders.
Denmark, the friction point
Trump argued that Denmark lacks a "legitimate right" over Greenland and that the story of a Danish ship arriving centuries ago doesn't constitute valid territorial ownership. According to the head of state, the United States also sent ships in the same period and, therefore, the historical narrative doesn't support the Danish position.
From Norway, officials reiterated their full support for Denmark and stressed that for NATO, stability in the Arctic is a priority. However, the scenario highlights a growing European discomfort in the face of U.S. pressure and the firmer leadership that Trump is pushing in the region.
