Denmark Warns of NATO Strain Amid Trump’s Greenland Threats

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that her country is facing a “fateful moment” as tensions rise with the United States over statements by former US president Donald Trump suggesting Washington could take control of Greenland.
Speaking at a political debate, Frederiksen said Denmark was at a crossroads and raised concerns that the US was undermining core NATO principles by threatening an allied nation. She said such rhetoric was unprecedented within the Western alliance and could weaken collective security if it continued.
Trump recently said the United States would act on Greenland “whether they like it or not,” declining to rule out coercive measures. The remarks have alarmed both Denmark and Greenland, which are NATO partners of the US. Greenland’s political leaders responded with a unified statement asserting that the island’s future must be decided by Greenlanders themselves.
Frederiksen said Denmark was pursuing diplomatic engagement with Washington while standing firm on Greenland’s sovereignty, adding that Copenhagen had received strong backing from NATO allies.
Sweden has also publicly expressed support for Denmark. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticized what he described as threatening rhetoric toward Denmark and Greenland, saying the United States should acknowledge Denmark’s long-standing role as a loyal ally. Sweden has also highlighted the need for greater preparedness in a more unstable security environment.
The dispute has intensified European concerns about alliance unity, Arctic security, and respect for international law at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.