Greenland: ‘No way’ – European countries in disagreement over Trump’s move to take over Arctic island

Greenland: ‘No way’ – European countries in disagreement over Trump’s move to take over Arctic island

European countries have told President Donald Trump of the United States of America that only Denmark and Greenland would decide on matters concerning their territories.

This is in reaction to President Trump’s continued push to take over Greenland, an ambition first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency.

The US leader, after a successful attack on Venezuela which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, told The Atlantic magazine in an interview that “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”

Trump’s comments followed Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Steven Miller’s controversial post seemingly calling for the US to take over the Arctic island.

However, in a statement jointly signed by European leaders, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, they made it clear that such a move to take over Greenland would not be possible.

They said the only people with the authority to decide what happens in Greenland, being the people of Greenland themselves and Denmark, should be allowed to do so.

President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, Prime

Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark are all signatories to the statement condemning Trump’s move.

“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.

“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.

“The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland- is part of NAT0.

“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including

sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

“These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.

“The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement said.