Leaders from major European powers and Canada rallied behind Greenland on Tuesday, saying the Arctic island belongs to its people, following a renewed threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to take over the Danish territory. The joint statement emphasizes that Arctic security must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States. This comes as Trump repeats his interest in gaining control of Greenland for military purposes, an idea first voiced in 2019.
On Tuesday, leaders from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint statement affirming that Greenland belongs to its people. Canada and the Netherlands also backed the declaration. This response follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent reiteration of his interest in controlling the Danish territory, an idea he first proposed in 2019.
Trump argues that Greenland is essential for U.S. military interests and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed concerns about Danish sovereignty, telling CNN: "You can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else, but we live in a world, in the real world, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power."
The European leaders' statement stresses that security in the Arctic must be handled collectively through NATO, including the United States. It noted: "NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up."
To counter U.S. criticism, Denmark pledged 42 billion Danish crowns ($6.58 billion) last year to boost its military presence in the Arctic.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the support and renewed his call for a "respectful dialogue" with the U.S. U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry emphasized economic opportunities over force, saying: "I think that the president supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States," adding that the U.S. has more to offer than Europe.
The renewed interest follows a U.S. military operation seizing Venezuela's leader over the weekend, rekindling fears of similar actions. Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt noted unsuccessful requests for meetings with U.S. officials: "Unfortunately, our requests for a meeting have for a long time been unsuccessful."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters: "No member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning..."
Nordic foreign ministers from Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark also stressed Greenland's right to self-determination, noting increased investments in Arctic security and offering to do more in consultation with the U.S. and other NATO allies.
Greenland's government has requested an urgent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Denmark's foreign minister, to discuss the situation.
Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of just 57,000, is not an independent NATO member but is covered by Denmark's membership. Its strategic location between Europe and North America makes it critical for the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, while its mineral wealth aligns with efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese exports.
