Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly rejected renewed calls from Donald Trump for the United States to acquire Greenland, invoking NATO’s collective defence commitment in a pointed response. At a NATO summit, Frederiksen stated that when any NATO member is attacked, all allies must come to its defence — an apparent reference to Trump’s persistent demands that Denmark cede control of the autonomous Arctic territory.
Trump reiterated his assertion overnight that Greenland, which has been under Danish sovereignty, should be transferred to American control. The intervention overshadowed the main agenda of the NATO summit, which was expected to focus on Trump’s demands that member states increase defence spending and reduce reliance on US security guarantees.
Attention at the summit was partly diverted to discuss Iran’s overnight missile attack on Israel, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte characterised as a necessary response to Tehran’s provocations. Alliance officials emphasised the importance of unity in the face of regional threats, even as disagreements over NATO expansion and burden-sharing continued to dominate discussions.
Greenland, situated between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, holds significant strategic importance due to its geographic position and natural resources. While the territory is autonomous and part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it maintains its own government and controls most domestic affairs. Frederiksen’s firm stance reflects broader European concerns about Trump’s unpredictable approach to long-standing alliances and territorial arrangements.
Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.
