In a stark escalation of rhetoric, former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is prepared to act on Greenland "whether they like it or not". The remarks, made during a White House press conference on Friday 9 January 2026, have sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and raised profound questions about the future of the transatlantic alliance.
A Stark Ultimatum Over Arctic Territory
Flanked by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump framed the potential acquisition of the vast, Danish-administered island as an urgent national security priority. He explicitly warned that failure to secure a deal could lead to a rival power establishing a foothold. "We're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour," Trump stated, adding, "I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way."
When pressed on the financial details of any potential transaction, the President was notably evasive, saying he wasn't talking about money "yet" but that he "might talk about that". The comments come amidst a backdrop of heightened US military assertiveness, recently demonstrated by the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under Trump's self-described "Donroe doctrine".
European Backlash and NATO in the Balance
The threats have triggered immediate and forceful condemnation from European leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a grave warning, stating that any US military action to seize Greenland would effectively mean the end of the NATO alliance. This position has found strong support among other key European figures.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have publicly stated their commitment to defending Greenland's territorial integrity. The autonomous territory, which has its own government and parliament, remains a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, making any forced acquisition a direct challenge to a longstanding NATO ally.
A New Doctrine and Global Implications
Analysts suggest that Trump's comments on Greenland are not an isolated incident but part of a broader, more confrontational foreign policy approach. The so-called "Donroe doctrine", cited to justify the Venezuela intervention, signals a willingness to undertake unilateral military actions in what it defines as the US sphere of influence.
This stance, combined with the explicit threats against Greenland, leaves the door open to further interventions on the world stage. It creates a significant diplomatic crisis for the West, pitting the United States against its closest European partners and challenging the foundational principles of sovereignty and collective defence that have underpinned the post-war order.
The situation presents a critical test for international diplomacy. The coming days will reveal whether Trump's remarks are merely aggressive negotiation tactics or a prelude to a more destabilising confrontation over the strategically vital Arctic region.
