On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said there was “no going back” on his goal to control Greenland. He refused to rule out using force to take the Arctic island. His comments quickly alarmed U.S. allies as European leaders struggled to respond.
Trump’s push, spelled out through late night social media posts and AI-made images, has shaken NATO. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which is also a NATO member. Trump’s plan to take control of it has raised fears that the alliance could fracture after decades of shared security.
At the same time, Trump’s stance has reopened the threat of a trade war with Europe. Markets that were already fragile reacted badly. Investors fear that new tariffs could hit global growth, just months after Trump’s last round of trade actions rattled companies worldwide.
After speaking with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump doubled down. “Greenland is imperative for National and World Security,” Trump said. “There can be no going back.” He claimed that everyone agreed with him, even as European leaders publicly rejected his position.
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To underline his message, Trump posted AI-generated images. One showed him standing in Greenland holding a U.S. flag. Another showed him speaking to leaders beside a map that displayed Greenland and Canada as part of the United States.
Trump also leaked private messages from world leaders. One came from French President Emmanuel Macron, who questioned what Trump was “doing on Greenland.” The move angered diplomats and raised concerns about trust in U.S. leadership.
Earlier, Trump had threatened France with a 200% tariff on wine and champagne. He has warned that any country standing in his way on Greenland could face harsh trade penalties.
Despite the rising tension, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to calm markets. Speaking in Davos, he dismissed what he called “hysteria” over Greenland. He urged patience and said leaders would find a solution that protects U.S. and European security.
Europe, however, is preparing for retaliation. The European Union has warned it could impose tariffs on £93 billion worth of U.S. goods as early as February 6. Another option is the Anti-Coercion Instrument, a powerful tool that could restrict U.S. access to European markets, banking, and digital services.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a blunt warning. “The worst may still lie ahead,” she told parliament. She said Denmark was open to talks on security and trade but not on sovereignty, borders, or democracy.
In Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a firm tone. She called the moment a turning point and urged Europe to build a “new independent Europe.” She said the changes facing the world were permanent and required strength and unity.
Russia, watching the dispute closely, weighed in on the growing tensions. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, calling it a colonial conquest. Moscow denied having any plans for the island but welcomed the growing rift between the U.S. and Europe.
Featured image via X screengrab
