‘Europe Will Not Be Blackmailed,’ Says Danish PM as NATO Allies Rally Over Trump’s Greenland Remarks

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said that Europe will not be “blackmailed,” as NATO allies closed ranks in response to renewed comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the United States needs control of Greenland.

Frederiksen’s remarks came amid growing diplomatic unease following Trump’s public statements reviving a long-criticized idea first floated during his presidency.

Danish officials reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and that its future can only be decided by the people of Greenland themselves, in line with international law and Denmark’s constitutional framework.

In response, allies within NATO expressed solidarity with Denmark, underscoring respect for sovereignty and alliance unity. Several European leaders emphasized that security in the Arctic must be addressed collectively through NATO cooperation rather than unilateral claims.

Frederiksen stressed that while Denmark remains a committed NATO member and values its partnership with the United States, pressure or rhetoric that challenges territorial integrity is unacceptable. She highlighted Europe’s determination to defend shared democratic values and the rules-based international order.

The controversy comes as the Arctic gains strategic importance due to climate change, emerging shipping routes, and competition among global powers. Greenland hosts critical infrastructure and sits at a key geostrategic crossroads between North America and Europe, making it central to NATO’s northern defenses.

Greenland’s leaders have also pushed back against external claims, reaffirming the territory’s right to self-determination and warning against treating the island as a geopolitical bargaining chip. Analysts say the episode has reinforced European resolve to present a united front within NATO while managing sensitive transatlantic relations.

Sources: Reuters, BBC News, Politico, Associated Press (AP)