Greenland has firmly rejected any suggestion of a takeover by the United States, saying it will not accept such a move “under any circumstances” and has called on NATO to ensure its defence following renewed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring the territory.
In a statement released on Monday, Greenland’s prime minister’s office said the U.S. had once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland, a position the current governing coalition said it could not accept.
Greenland Rejects US Takeover Calls
“The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something the government coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances,” the statement said.
The government stressed that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and, through Denmark’s membership, is covered by NATO’s collective defence framework. “The defence of Greenland must therefore be ensured through NATO,” it added.
Trump Renews Push to Acquire Greenland
Trump, who has expressed interest in Greenland for several years, told reporters last week that the United States would seek to take control of the territory for national security reasons.
“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland,” Trump said, adding that he would prefer to make a deal “the easy way” but warned of a “hard way” if necessary.
Can NATO Defend Greenland Against a US Move?
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over NATO’s role and the limits of international law. Under the North Atlantic Treaty, an armed attack on any member state is treated as an attack on all, meaning an attack on Greenland would be considered an attack on Denmark.
Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is also recognised by the United States under a 1951 defence agreement.
Denmark Warns of NATO Fallout
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any U.S. military attempt to seize Greenland would effectively destroy NATO.
“A military attack would be the end of NATO,” Frederiksen said, arguing that Denmark would be forced to invoke Article 5, obliging allies to defend it—an outcome that would paralyse the alliance.
Analysts note that Article 5 does not apply automatically and must be formally invoked, and that NATO has historically avoided triggering it in disputes between member states.
International Law and European Concerns
Legal experts point out that under international law and the UN Charter, the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state is prohibited. Any attempt to seize Greenland by force would likely violate these principles.
The issue has raised concern across European capitals, with growing questions over NATO’s silence and its ability to protect the sovereignty of member states when pressure comes from within the alliance itself.
