China Trump: Nato not enough to protect Greenland
Shortly before talks between Denmark and the USA at the White House, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his claim to Greenland. "Anything else is unacceptable," Trump wrote on his mouthpiece Truth Social.
14.01.2026, 13:56
SDA
Nato membership of the territory in the North Atlantic, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark, is not sufficient protection for Greenland, the US President continued.
In doing so, he dismissed a European proposal to strengthen the NATO presence in the Arctic, with which Germany, among others, had attempted to defuse the dispute.
"The United States needs Greenland for national security purposes," Trump wrote. It is elementary for the construction of the planned Golden Dome missile defense system. Nato should therefore pave the way for a US takeover of the island, Trump continued. He wrote in capital letters: "IF WE DON'T DO IT, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN!"
Vance's participation in talks raises concerns
NATO can only deploy an effective deterrent thanks to the USA, Trump wrote, adding that this is thanks to the strengthening of the US armed forces during his first term in office. With Greenland in the hands of the USA, Nato will be far more impressive and effective, the Republican continued.
The governments of Denmark and Greenland have made it clear that a sale or annexation of the territory by the US is unacceptable. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned of an end to Nato if the US government makes good on its announcements.
The Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Greenland Minister responsible for foreign policy, Vivian Motzfeldt, are expected at the White House today (4.30 p.m. CET) for talks.
US Vice President JD Vance also registered at short notice for the meeting with US chief diplomat Marco Rubio, which was originally planned as a meeting of foreign ministers. This raised fears of a confrontational meeting. Vance is considered a hardliner who played a key role in escalating the talks last February during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
