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Germany and France warned President-elect Donald Trump against any attempt to seize control of Greenland through economic or military force after Trump reiterated his calls for Greenland to become a part of the United States.
Some shit you should know before you read: During a press conference yesterday, President-Elect Donald Trump reiterated his desire for Greenland to join the United States, arguing that the island’s vast natural resources and strategic Arctic location are critical for US national security. Trump highlighted Greenland’s rare earth minerals and their value in monitoring Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic region. He also expressed concerns about potential geopolitical threats in the Arctic, framing US control over Greenland as a necessity for safeguarding global security and protecting the “free world.” Currently, Greenland is an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, with its population enjoying significant self-governance. While Greenland’s government is exploring paths to independence, it has firmly rejected the idea of becoming part of the United States, insisting that its sovereignty and self-determination are non-negotiable.
France & Germany Chime in: While speaking to reporters in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about potentially using military or economic force to acquire Greenland, noting that the “principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of its size or power.” Scholz expressed “incomprehension” over Trump’s remarks, which he said undermined international law and Western values. Scholz also said he spoke to other EU leaders about Trump’s comments, adding that they all shared a “certain incomprehension” about the “current comments from the US.”
In France, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed Scholz’s sentiments, stating that Europe would not tolerate any violation of sovereign borders. Speaking on France Inter radio, Barrot stressed that the European Union stands united in defending international law against coercive actions by any nation, including the United States. Barrot added that while he did not believe the US would invade Greenland, Trump’s rhetoric reflected “the return of the law of the strongest,” which Europe must actively resist by strengthening its collective defense and unity.
This comes as Denmark, which has sovereignty over Greenland, has also strongly dismissed Trump’s ambitions. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed that Greenland “belongs to the Greenlanders” and any decision regarding its future lies solely with its population. Frederiksen described Trump’s proposal as “absurd” and reiterated Denmark’s commitment to protecting Greenland’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Danish officials have sought to de-escalate tensions by proposing dialogue with the US to address security concerns.
