Europe–US Tensions Rise After Trump Hints At Greenland Takeover

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

AMSTERDAM/OSLO (Worthy News) – Europe and the United States, long regarded as close allies, edged toward a trade — and potentially military — confrontation on Monday not seen since the 1930s, after U.S. President Donald J. Trump did not rule out taking control of Greenland by force.

In a text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump linked his rhetoric to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace,” Trump wrote, adding that he would now consider what he viewed as U.S. interests.

Norway’s government released the messages on Monday under the country’s freedom of information law. Asked by broadcaster NBC News whether he would use force to seize Greenland, Trump replied, “No comment,” while warning he would “100 percent” proceed with tariffs on European nations without a Greenland deal.

Støre had sent an initial message on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, urging de-escalation and proposing talks. Trump responded less than half an hour later.

NOBEL PRIZE DISPUTE FUELS DIPLOMATIC ROW

Trump has repeatedly criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado rather than him.

In his message, Trump again claimed Denmark could not protect Greenland from Russia or China, questioning Denmark’s “right of ownership” and insisting the world would not be secure without “complete and total control” of the island.

Trump has vowed to impose escalating tariffs from February 1 on Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Britain, and Norway unless Washington is allowed to buy Greenland, home to about 57,000 people.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen rejected the idea during a visit to London, saying: “You can trade with people, but you don’t trade people.”

EUROPE PUSHES BACK AS MILITARY SIGNALS EMERGE

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory must decide its own future. “We will not let ourselves be pressured. We stand firm on dialogue, respect, and international law,” he wrote on Facebook.

Denmark’s military confirmed that an aircraft carrying Danish soldiers and Army Commander Peter Boysen would land in western Greenland as part of an “Arctic Endurance” exercise — described by observers as a signal that threats would not go unanswered by other NATO allies.

As tensions rose, Støre amended his schedule to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, overlapping with Trump’s first appearance there in six years. Trump is due to deliver a keynote address Wednesday.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would also seek talks with Trump, warning that while Europe does not want a trade war, it is “capable of responding” to unreasonable tariffs.

EU READIES COUNTERMEASURES AS TALKS CONTINUE

European Union leaders plan to discuss their options at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Measures under consideration include tariffs on 93 billion euros (about $101 billion) in U.S. imports and the possible activation of the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), which could restrict access to EU markets and services. However, Poland and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) are strongly aligned with the U.S. on security against Russia and appear reluctant to impose sanctions targeting the United States, analysts say.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Europe it would be “very unwise” to retaliate, dismissing claims that Trump’s stance was driven by the Nobel Prize and calling Greenland a strategic U.S. asset.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged calm dialogue between allies, saying he did not believe Trump intended military action. Russia declined to comment directly, though officials said Trump would “go down in world history” if he took control of Greenland.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: PAST U.S. TERRITORIAL ACQUISITIONS

The United States has expanded its territory through purchases and treaties in earlier centuries, most notably the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, the acquisition of Florida from Spain in 1819, the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, and the purchase of the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

Other territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam, were acquired following war rather than purchase.

However, analysts note that all such expansions occurred under historical conditions vastly different from today’s international order, where principles of “sovereignty” and “self-determination” are enshrined in international law.

Critics say any attempt to acquire Greenland by force or coercion is unprecedented in the modern era.

Yet Trump claims Greenland is vital to the security of the United States, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.

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