Greenland vows stronger NATO defense role amid Trump’s threats

The government coalition in Greenland announced on Monday that it will intensify efforts to ensure the island’s defense remains fully coordinated within the NATO framework, following threats by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Washington should take control of the Arctic territory.

In a formal statement, the Greenlandic government affirmed that “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As part of the Danish Commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO and the defense of Greenland must therefore be through NATO.”

The statement emphasized that following a “very positive” response from six NATO member states regarding Greenland’s strategic role, the government will bolster its coordination with Denmark to ensure any development of the island’s defense remains under NATO auspices.

“All NATO member states, including the United States, have a common interest in the defense of Greenland,” the coalition added, underscoring its commitment to strengthening dialogue within the alliance.

The government stressed that it “believes Greenland will forever be part of the Western defense alliance.”

The announcement comes in response to renewed concern after Trump reiterated past remarks that the United States will take over Greenland “one way or another.”

US lawmaker proposes bill authorizing annexation of Greenland
Earlier on Monday, US Republican lawmaker Randy Fine introduced legislation that would give the White House expansive authority to pursue the annexation or acquisition of Greenland, presenting the initiative as a national security imperative as competition intensifies across the Arctic.

Fine said the proposal is intended to widen the US room for maneuver in response to what its backers describe as mounting strategic pressure in the region. The measure is titled the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act and explicitly ties Greenland’s future to US security interests.

“Today, Congressman Fine (FL-06) introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, landmark legislation focused on securing America’s strategic national security interests in the Arctic and countering the growing threats posed by China and Russia … The Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act authorizes the President to take whatever steps necessary to annex or acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States,” the statement read.

Under the proposal, those powers would be vested in US President Donald Trump, allowing him to act under the banner of national security without detailing a diplomatic, legal, or negotiated pathway for changing Greenland’s status.