Greenland at the center of a geopolitical storm: US military ‘Always an Option’ sparks global pushback

The United States has renewed its controversial bid to acquire Greenland, raising the prospect of military force and triggering unified pushback from European and other allied governments over the sovereignty of the Arctic territory.

In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said President Donald Trump views Greenland — an autonomous territory of Denmark — as a strategic national security priority essential for deterring rival powers in the Arctic.

The statement made clear that Washington is considering a range of options to pursue this goal, and that “utilizing the US military is always an option” available to the commander in chief.

Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. He first floated the idea during his 2019 presidency, and has renewed it in recent weeks amid broader geopolitical assertions, including a high profile US military operation in Venezuela. The White House has framed control of the island as critical to counter Russian and Chinese activities in the region.

Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of about 57,000, has emphasized that it does not want to be part of the United States, repeatedly rejecting any notion of annexation. The island already hosts the US Pituffik Space Base, a key installation supporting missile warning and defense operations, and is rich in mineral resources coveted for strategic independence from Chinese supply chains

The US position drew swift and broad condemnation from European capitals. Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark issued a coordinated statement asserting that “Greenland belongs to its people.” They underlined that only Denmark and Greenland should decide the island’s future.

Canada also voiced support for Greenland’s autonomy, with Governor General Mary Simon and Foreign Minister Anita Anand scheduled to visit the island next month to reaffirm diplomatic ties. Nordic foreign ministers from Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark stressed Greenland’s right to self determination and signaled increased investment in Arctic security in cooperation with NATO allies.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that threats against a NATO member jeopardize the alliance’s credibility, and Danish officials dismissed claims that Greenland was being overrun by Chinese influence. Denmark’s foreign minister stated that there are no Chinese warships patrolling Greenland and welcomed continued cooperation with the US on defense matters.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, appointed as the US special envoy to Greenland, said he intends to speak directly with residents about development opportunities rather than engage primarily with Danish or European diplomats. His comments reflect a shift toward more direct engagement but have sparked additional concern about Washington’s intentions.

While the White House insists the military option remains just one of several being evaluated—including negotiations and potential purchase—senior administration figures have underscored a worldview rooted in strength and power, downplaying international objections to threats against sovereignty.

Analysts warn that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland would upend decades of post World War II foreign policy norms and could seriously weaken NATO unity. A senior fellow at the Atlantic Council noted that most Greenlanders oppose US annexation, and that forcibly taking the territory would signal a return to a global order where power supersedes principles of sovereignty.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Wednesday that his country is working with its partners to develop a plan on how to respond if the United States carries out its threat to seize Greenland.

Barrot added that the issue was be discussed at his meeting with the foreign ministers of Germany and Poland later in the day.

— AP News