On the streets of Copenhagen, ordinary Danish citizens are expressing confusion and disbelief at President Trump’s aggressive rhetoric toward their nation, a longtime American ally that has maintained close cooperation for eight decades. The public bewilderment reflects broader Danish society’s struggle to comprehend why the United States would threaten military action against a NATO partner over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
Frederik Olsen, a 56-year-old Copenhagen resident, characterized Trump’s statements as “a little crazy,” reflecting the widespread Danish perception that the president’s territorial ambitions represent a dramatic departure from normal diplomatic relations. Christian Harpsoe, 46, noted that the United States already enjoys full military access to Greenland, questioning why Trump would seek to forcibly acquire territory where America already operates freely. He distinguished the Greenland situation from Venezuela, where Trump recently intervened militarily.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any US military action against Greenland would completely destroy NATO and the entire post-World War II transatlantic security framework. This unprecedented statement came as Trump intensified his public campaign to acquire the Arctic territory, claiming national security imperatives that Denmark supposedly cannot fulfill. Trump has indicated he will prioritize the Greenland issue within two months, though he suggested discussions could begin in approximately three weeks.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen publicly confronted Trump’s pressure campaign, demanding cessation of annexation rhetoric and veiled threats while insisting on respect for international law. The situation intensified following Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela, where American forces seized President Nicolas Maduro and announced indefinite US control. This aggressive precedent has amplified European concerns that Trump might employ similar tactics against Greenland.
European nations have demonstrated remarkable unity in supporting Denmark’s position. The European Union affirmed its commitment to defending member states’ territorial integrity, while Britain, France, Finland, Sweden, and Norway all stated that only Greenland and Denmark could determine the territory’s future. The crisis escalated when Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, posted imagery depicting Greenland in American flag colors, which Nielsen condemned as disrespectful. Trump’s claims about Chinese and Russian naval activity near Greenland were rejected by Beijing and disputed by Greenland’s parliamentary representative as fabrications.
