Camille Naredo

The Greenland flag is pictured on August 18, 2019 in Kulusuk (also spelled Qulusuk), a settlement in the Sermersooq municipality located on the island of the same name on the southeastern shore of Greenland. Jonathan Nackstrand, AFP/File

The Greenland flag is pictured on August 18, 2019 in Kulusuk (also spelled Qulusuk), a settlement in the Sermersooq municipality located on the island of the same name on the southeastern shore of Greenland. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)

Article (news)

Greenland

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767799330507AFP__20190827__1JT0C0__v1__MidRes__GreenlandDenmarkNatureTourismLifestyle.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Greenland flag is pictured on August 18, 2019 in Kulusuk (also spelled Qulusuk), a settlement in the Sermersooq municipality located on the island of the same name on the southeastern shore of Greenland. Jonathan Nackstrand, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Greenland flag is pictured on August 18, 2019 in Kulusuk (also spelled Qulusuk), a settlement in the Sermersooq municipality located on the island of the same name on the southeastern shore of Greenland. <em>Jonathan Nackstrand, AFP/File</em></span></span></span>BRUSSELS, Belgium-- The White House has said President Donald Trump is discussing options including military action to take Greenland -- despite a warning from Denmark that an attack would spell the end of NATO.</div><p>But how high really is the risk that Trump&#x27;s desire for the territory might end up sinking an alliance that has underpinned Western security for over seven decades?</p><p>The answer depends on whether Trump is really planning to make a move and if the specter of military force is just a bluff to exert pressure.</p><p>Here&#x27;s how the situation could break down:</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- US ups threats -</strong></div><p>In the wake of his military intervention in Venezuela, Trump set off alarm bells in Europe by repeating his insistence that he wants to take control of Greenland.</p><p>The mineral-rich semi-autonomous territory -- part of Washington&#x27;s long-standing NATO ally Denmark and home already to a US military base -- has been in Trump&#x27;s sights since his first term in office.</p><p>But this time around his administration has ramped up its rhetoric by insisting that &quot;acquiring Greenland is a national security priority&quot;.</p><p>&quot;The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option,&quot; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.</p><p>That came despite a warning from Danish premier Mette Frederiksen an attack on a NATO ally would end the alliance -- and a show of support for Copenhagen from key European leaders.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/1/5/that-s-enough-greenland-pm-urges-trump-to-drop-annex-threats-2346">READ: Greenland PM urges Trump to drop annex threats</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>- Military route? -</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABvOtpKTAoeXEtFX"></script><p>While Trump was willing to deploy US military might against long-standing foe Venezuela, using force against a close ally like Denmark is a different ball game.</p><p>French President Emmanuel Macron said he couldn&#x27;t &quot;imagine a scenario&quot; under which Washington would violate Danish sovereignty.</p><p>Any US military action against Greenland would effectively tear NATO apart.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/1/7/trump-weighs-military-option-to-acquire-greenland-0914">READ: Trump weighs military option to acquire Greenland</a></div><p>Its Article Five pledge that members will defend each other if attacked is meant to deter threats from outside -- and the idea of its key power would turn on an ally was seen as inconceivable.</p><p>Under an existing agreement with Denmark, the United States could already station more troops in Greenland if it wants.</p><p>Officials at NATO have repeatedly played down the prospect Trump could invade -- but admit that with the US leader they can never be sure.</p><p>&quot;We don&#x27;t believe he would -- there is no need -- the US can get any access they want from Denmark,&quot; a senior NATO diplomat told AFP, speaking as others on condition of anonymity.</p><p>&quot;But given the persistent rhetoric, we can&#x27;t be entirely sure.&quot;</p><p>So far there has been no sign of the sort of military buildup witnessed around Venezuela and some US officials have been pressing other options.</p><p>US media reported Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Trump wants to buy Greenland rather than attack it -- and the hope from NATO is that diplomacy will win out.</p><p>&quot;I hope the Danes, the Greenlanders and the Americans will sit around a fire somewhere and an outcome will be reached,&quot; a second NATO diplomat said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- NATO steers clear -</strong></div><p>So far NATO as an organization has tried to stay out of the Greenland issue.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t think this issue will ever be brought up in a NATO framework in order to avoid any divisions,&quot; a third NATO diplomat said.</p><p>With Russia&#x27;s war raging in Ukraine, European members are desperate not to jeopardize US involvement in helping to shield them from Moscow.</p><p>Alliance chief Mark Rutte has tried to deflect US interest by emphasizing joint efforts to bolster security in the Arctic against threats from Russia and China, a key justification by Trump for wanting Greenland.</p><p>&quot;The Danes are totally fine if the US would have a bigger presence than they have now,&quot; Rutte told CNN. &quot;We have to make sure that the Arctic stays safe.&quot;</p><p>While the alliance takes a backseat, some more bullish European members may try to be more assertive.</p><p>French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Paris was talking to Germany and Poland to come up with a plan for a possible response.</p><p>There are fears though that just by raising the prospect of attacking an ally -- or pressuring it to cede territory -- the United States may have already damaged NATO.</p><p>&quot;No one has any interest in a quarrel within NATO, except our enemies,&quot; said Belgian defense minister Theo Francken.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m convinced initiatives will be taken in the coming days, behind the scenes or in the open, to resolve this situation.&quot;</p>

<p>The White House has said President Donald Trump is discussing options including military action to take Greenland -- despite a warning from Denmark that an attack would spell the end of NATO.</p>

The White House has said President Donald Trump is discussing options including military action to take Greenland -- despite a warning from Denmark that an attack would spell the end of NATO.

Could Trump's desire for Greenland blow up NATO?

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Could Trump's desire for Greenland blow up NATO?

Max Delany,

Agence France-Presse

Published Jan 08, 2026 01:11 AM PHT

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Greenland

Denmark

Donald Trump

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NATO

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