Trump renews pressure on Denmark over Greenland, prompting strong European pushback and raising tensions in the strategically vital Arctic region.
Greenland’s icy terrain has become the center of a heated geopolitical dispute between the US and European allies (Photo: X)
US & European Tension: The Arctic has increasingly emerged as a hotly contested area in the world. Approximately 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil resources and 30% of the world's untapped gas reserves are estimated to lie above the Arctic Circle. In view of the ice melting and the opening of a new trade route that has fueled international tensions, former US President Donald Trump has reignited the controversy by emphasizing the importance of Greenland for US security.
Trump’s latest statements indicate that he now adopts a hard diplomacy policy. He used Greenland as a part of his criticism of NATO for not ensuring its security and began threatening economic measures. Economic data also indicates that a 10% tariff would cost European exporters huge amounts of money every year, not to mention a potential 25% tariff later down the road as a result of his proposal for new tariffs starting at a rate of 10% and rising to a potential 25% later down the road.
“NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that “you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.” Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!” - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/ZyFh9OsNsn
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 19, 2026
The response from Europe was quick and for once, quite united with eight nations released a statement together denouncing tariff threats and supporting Denmark's sovereignty. This matters because such coordination between EU and non-EU states like the United Kingdom remains very rare. Together, they comprise nearly 40% of US trade in Europe. The message they brought was loud and clear: The use of economic coercion could end up causing harm to relationships that for decades had been the building blocks for Western security. A number of them brought up another aspect dialogue being the only viable means ahead.
Matters escalated even further with the minimal military deployments in Greenland from European nations. Although the numbers appear small, their import is not. Greenland is strategically positioned along the Arctics, which can reduce travel between Asia and Europe by as much as 40%. The moment any military makes its appearance in such a location, attention is bound to be diverted towards it. The Europeans claim that these military deployments are strategically defensive in nature but Washington seems to see these as defying its own strategically driven plans in that region.
The European support has provided Denmark with diplomatic cover in the wake of mounting pressures. “The display of solidarity has been appreciated by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. This is because sovereignty cannot be negotiated under threat,” explained Peter R. Schultz Hansen. Denmark has continued to invest in Arctic defense. The country has seen over 30% growth in its expenditure in the Arctic over the last ten years. This is because the European ideology is against succumbing to economic threats in diplomatic relations.
