France has sent a strong warning to President-elect Donald Trump about his recent comments on using military force to take Greenland. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made it clear that the European Union (EU) will not allow anyone to attack its borders. Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot said,
“There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world—whoever they might be—attack its sovereign borders.”
This statement came after Trump refused to rule out using military action to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally, and an EU member. At a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump said, “I can’t assure you—you’re talking about Panama and Greenland, no, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.” These comments raised alarms across Europe and among NATO allies.
Trump has been talking about buying Greenland since 2019 during his first term as president. Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede has always opposed the idea. In December, he said, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our year-long struggle for freedom.”
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Greenland is not just an icy island; it holds significant strategic and economic value. It is rich in natural resources like minerals and has an important location in the Arctic. However, Denmark and Greenland have made it clear that the territory will remain independent. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday, “[Egede] has been very, very clear—that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.”
Trump’s recent comments have caused tension among EU nations and NATO allies. France has stepped in to remind Trump that the EU is united and strong. Barrot expressed his concerns, saying, “If you’re asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes.”
France and other EU members view Greenland as part of their collective security. NATO allies, including the U.S., are supposed to protect each other, not threaten each other. Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton criticized Trump, saying, “When Trump says all this stuff publicly, particularly about not ruling out the use of force, it is pushing the democratically elected government of Greenland and the democratically elected government of Denmark into a corner. If you’re the prime minister of Denmark, your NATO ally is refusing to say they’re not going to attack your territory, which is what Greenland is.”
This is not the first time Trump has upset NATO allies. During his first term, he frequently threatened to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, complaining that other countries were not paying enough for their defense. Trump’s attitude toward NATO has always been transactional. He views it as a business deal rather than a military alliance built on trust and cooperation.
This latest Greenland issue highlights Trump’s disregard for international relationships. Instead of strengthening ties with allies, he often creates division. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., even visited Greenland recently. While he claimed the visit was private, it has only added to the controversy. Trump Jr. told Sean Hannity on Fox News, “From what I saw on the ground… everyone was really into this concept. They loved it, and they love America. They love MAGA, they love Trump. It was awesome.”
In times like these, global unity is more important than ever. Trump’s approach risks isolating the U.S. even further on the world stage. His actions show why he remains a divisive figure both at home and abroad.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
