The week that US President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to annex Greenland, he received a harsh response from several leaders in Europe. Trump stated that he did not rule out military or economic intervention to make the Arctic island part of the US, highlighting his strategic interests in the region. These statements have raised concerns, particularly from the European Union (EU) and NATO allies.
Trump Expresses Interest in Greenland
Trump has been expressing his interest in Greenland since 2019. The strategic importance of the island has increased with the melting of the ice caps; new sea routes have begun to open up, and the extraction of rare earth metals from underground has offered great opportunities. In this context, control of Greenland provides a great advantage for America, both economically and militarily. However, Trump’s idea of annexing this region to the US was seen not only as a strategic interest, but also as an approach aimed at consolidating US global power.
Harsh Reactions from European Leaders
The reactions from Europe to Trump’s statements were quite harsh. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that his statements had created great unease in Europe and that the principle that “borders cannot be changed by force” was valid for every country. Scholz said in his statement, “This principle applies to all countries, whether in the East or the West,” and stated that he found Trump’s attitude incomprehensible.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot struck a sharper tone, saying the EU could not allow the sovereignty of other countries to be attacked. Barrot said he was evaluating Trump’s threat to invade Greenland from a theoretical perspective, but he also said Europe had “not entered a period of survival of the fittest.”
Greenland's Status and NATO Connection
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but is autonomous, with a large population of Danish nationality. As a member of NATO, Greenland is subject to a mutual defense pact under Article 5 of the alliance. This means that all NATO countries are obligated to defend Greenland in the event of military intervention.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stated categorically that Greenland is not for sale and will never be sold. This statement comes after Trump’s offer to buy Greenland and also strengthens the island’s steps towards independence. However, the island’s status as an overseas territory in relation to the EU could trigger a mechanism that could involve EU countries in the event of a possible military operation.
Europe's Concerns Within the Union
Europe’s concerns about Trump’s statements were not limited to strategic interests. Greenland’s status as an overseas territory in relation to the EU could force all EU members to take action against Greenland. This means that action against Greenland could have serious diplomatic and military consequences for Europe.
Trump’s statements regarding Greenland are creating a situation that will test not only the relations between the US and Denmark, but also the alliances within NATO and the defense strategies of the European Union. Europe’s reactions may not change Trump’s approach, but they will be one of the important factors that will determine how solidarity and strategic interests within the EU and NATO will be shaped in the coming period. In the process, the future of Greenland and regional security dynamics may become even more complicated.
