U.S. President Donald Trump recently escalated tensions with NATO allies after making headlines with bold statements about Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory. Early Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming, “I’m the one who SAVED NATO!!!” a declaration that followed his increasingly aggressive rhetoric about annexing the mineral-rich Arctic island.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump warned that if the U.S. does not act, Greenland could fall under the influence of Russia or China. “I’d love to make a deal with them, it’s easier. But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” he said. He also criticized Greenland’s defenses, humorously describing them as “two dogsleds,” while insisting that U.S. protection is necessary.
Trump’s remarks come on the heels of a dramatic move in Venezuela, where he ordered U.S. military intervention that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The couple has pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court. Following the operation, Trump shared a Wikipedia screenshot portraying himself as the “acting president” of Venezuela and met with oil executives to discuss managing the country’s lucrative energy resources.
Despite acknowledging that his Greenland plans could strain NATO, Trump downplayed any consequences. “If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But they need us much more than we need them,” he stated. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not directly address Trump’s threats but confirmed that Denmark and the alliance are accelerating defense investments in Greenland. Rutte also echoed concerns about Russian, Chinese, and North Korean threats and commended Trump for prompting NATO to increase its defense spending.
Greenlandic and Danish leaders have firmly rejected any suggestion of selling the island. Officials from the five parties in Greenland’s parliament released a joint statement emphasizing that the island’s future must be determined by Greenlanders themselves: “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders.”
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Greenland since 1951, which has a population of about 57,000. Trump, however, has made it clear that he envisions full U.S. control over the territory, a stance that could reshape Arctic geopolitics and further complicate relations within the Western alliance.
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