Reports indicate that Paris and Berlin are collaborating to formulate a European strategy in response to the Trump administration’s interest in potentially acquiring Greenland from Denmark.
The focus on Greenland has intensified recently, particularly after the U.S. launched its military efforts against Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro. This action, the White House argues, reflects the Monroe Doctrine, which holds that the U.S. claims dominance in the Western Hemisphere and thus can respond to foreign threats within its sphere.
Naturally, this has led to renewed debates about Greenland’s status. Though geographically part of North America and within the Western Hemisphere, Greenland is an autonomous territory that falls under Danish jurisdiction.
Even if Greenland is not part of the European Union—having departed the European Community back in 1985—it has garnered strong opposition from EU members regarding Trump’s intention to acquire the island. The White House’s hints at using military force have especially stirred anger among European leaders.
On Tuesday, press secretary Caroline Leavitt stated that “President Trump sees acquiring Greenland as vital for U.S. national security and believes deterring adversaries in the Arctic is essential. … The President and his team are evaluating various options to achieve this important foreign policy goal, and the use of military forces is certainly an option for the Commander-in-Chief.”
In reaction, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault commented, “We aim to take action while working cohesively with our European partners.” This sentiment echoed what Paris conveyed, as it plans to collaborate with Berlin and Warsaw this week to craft a response to the U.S.
An anonymous German official noted that Berlin is closely coordinating with Denmark and other European nations concerning the next steps regarding Greenland.
Despite the attention on Trump’s tough negotiating approach, senior officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, have downplayed the likelihood of military force being necessary to secure Greenland.
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned to lawmakers behind closed doors this week that the administration’s tough stance is also a tactic to bring Denmark to negotiations for the island’s transfer.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reached out to Rubio to discuss the U.S. position. Earlier in the week, she warned that NATO’s future could be jeopardized if the U.S. were to use military force to seize the Arctic territory, though her country’s military contributions to the alliance are significantly smaller compared to U.S. spending, which exceeds that of all other NATO members combined.
The desire for control over Greenland dates back to the 1860s, when Secretary of State William H. Seward first proposed the idea of annexing Greenland and Iceland. Several proposals have been made since then, particularly after World War II, though none have succeeded. If the Trump administration manages to achieve what its predecessors could not, it would be the largest U.S. territorial expansion since the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Nonetheless, other approaches are on the table, such as establishing a Compact of Free Association (COFA) similar to agreements with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. Such a deal would allow the U.S. military to operate freely while granting the countries independence and facilitating free trade with the U.S., alongside support for essential services and rights for citizens to travel and work in America.
Any arrangement with Greenland would probably necessitate a referendum for its 57,000 residents to vote on independence from Denmark, which they have the right to initiate under the 2009 Home Rule Act. Denmark’s parliament must approve the referendum, giving it leverage for financial negotiations with the U.S.
An anonymous EU diplomat suggested that the U.S. might leverage Ukraine’s security situation following a peace deal with Russia to persuade European allies to soften their reactions to the U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland.
The potential for Greenland to hold an independence vote raises concerns in Washington about the possibility of the island falling under the sway of rival powers like China or Russia, both keen on Arctic access. The Trump administration has voiced worries about significant mineral deposits in Greenland, particularly given China’s aggressive pursuit of mining rights globally.
To create beneficial conditions for the people of Greenland, some, including former Deputy Presidential Assistant Alexander Gray, have proposed establishing a sovereign wealth fund akin to that of Alaska. This would ensure that Greenland’s inhabitants gain direct financial benefits from the resources extracted by American companies.
