The US president has reiterated his intention to annex the Arctic island from Denmark
US President Donald Trump’s plan to take over Greenland could lead to a war between the US and Denmark, Danish MP and Defense Committee Chairman Rasmus Jarlov has warned. The lawmaker insisted that ceding the Arctic island to the US remains out of the question for Copenhagen.
Jarlov’s remarks came after Thursday’s meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where the former reaffirmed his intention for Greenland to become part of the US. Asked about his “vision on the potential annexation of Greenland,” Trump responded, “I think it will happen,” suggesting NATO could “be instrumental” in the process.
While Rutte stopped short of endorsing the idea, he acknowledged that Trump was “totally right” to raise concerns about security in the Arctic, citing the growing presence of Russia and China in the region.
In a post on X on Friday, Jarlov said Denmark does not “appreciate the Secr. Gen. of NATO joking with Trump about Greenland like this.”
“It would mean war between two NATO countries,” he warned, reiterating that Denmark has repeatedly refused to consider relinquishing control of Greenland. In a separate post, he wrote that “joining the US remains completely out of the question” for Greenland and that such a scenario “can only be achieved if the USA invades militarily.”
“Greenland has just voted against immediate independence from Denmark and does not want to be American ever,” Jarlov added, referring to the center-right Democrats victory in Greenland’s parliamentary elections this week. The party has sharply criticized Trump’s ambitions, favoring economic expansion and a gradual approach to independence.
Greenland has long been of strategic interest due to its location and untapped mineral resources. The former Danish colony was granted self-rule in 1979 but remains under Copenhagen’s control in matters of foreign policy, defense, and monetary policy. Trump first proposed buying Greenland in 2019, but the idea was swiftly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland’s government. Since returning to office, he has reignited discussions on US ownership, calling the island crucial to American security and economic interests.
While the election results suggest Greenland remains opposed to Trump’s plans, experts warn the situation could change. Although the Democrats won the most seats, they did not secure a majority and will need to form a coalition. The second-largest party, Naleraq, has signaled openness to closer ties with the US. However, some analysts believe that the Democrats may seek alliances with smaller parties that also advocate a gradual path to independence.
