A renewed geopolitical storm is brewing as Donald Trump revives his controversial Greenland ambition, warning of trade retaliation against nations that resist Washington’s strategic push.
US President Donald Trump has reignited global debate by declaring that countries opposing the United States taking control of Greenland could face import taxes. Speaking at a White House event, Trump framed the warning as part of a broader national security strategy, arguing that Greenland is critical to America’s strategic and military interests in the Arctic.
The remarks came amid efforts to cool tensions sparked by the visit of a US congressional delegation to Copenhagen, where discussions with Danish officials highlighted growing unease over Washington’s posture. Trump indicated that trade measures similar to those previously threatened against European allies over pharmaceutical imports could also be applied in this context, though he stopped short of providing specific details.
A bipartisan US delegation, including Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Murkowski, met Danish leaders during the visit. Senator Murkowski emphasized that Greenland should be treated as a “friend” rather than a “property,” underscoring that roughly 75 percent of Americans oppose the idea of acquiring the territory. Her remarks reflected wider political resistance within the United States to any unilateral move.
Murkowski, together with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, has introduced legislation aimed at blocking federal funding for the annexation of sovereign states such as Greenland without consent from the country involved or approval from NATO. The bill signals a clear effort within Congress to rein in executive action on territorial expansion.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Friedrich Nielsen has also responded firmly, stating that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland would stand with Denmark, NATO and the European Union. His comments reinforced Greenland’s position as a self-governing territory aligned with European partners.
Indigenous Inuit organizations have criticized the US administration’s rhetoric, warning that it reveals a dismissive attitude toward small nations and indigenous communities. Trump, however, continues to justify his stance by pointing to growing Russian and Chinese interest in Greenland’s mineral wealth and strategic location, portraying the issue as a contest for influence in the Arctic rather than a territorial grab.
