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Topic: Diplomacy Blog Brand: The Buzz Region: Americas, and Arctic Tags: Denmark, Donald Trump, Greenland, NATO, and United States Would a Trump Greenland Takeover Really ‘End’ NATO? January 14, 2026 By: Peter Suciu
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Trump’s threats to annex Greenland have been widely criticized within the United States, with one Republican lawmaker calling the proposal “weapons-grade stupid.”
During an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) warned that any attempt by President Donald Trump to annex Greenland would result in the end of NATO, and potentially even lead to a clash between the US and Europe.
“NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland. And so, query whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France,” Murphy suggested.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, offered a similar view in another interview.
“Greenland is extraordinarily strategic. And we have a treaty with Denmark that gives us a right to virtually do anything we want in Greenland,” Warner said in an appearance on Fox News Sunday. “If he were to take an action against Greenland, that would completely destroy NATO.”
Even some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the United States seizing Greenland, with Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) calling the proposal “weapons-grade stupid.”
Would Trump Really Invade Greenland?
Trump, who first gained prominence as a real estate developer before becoming a reality TV star, likened the acquisition of Greenland to a large real estate deal. He has repeated that the United States “needs” to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory, even as a 1951 treaty gives Washington a free hand in expanding its military footprint on the world’s largest island.
“It’s so strategic,” Trump told reporters earlier this month. “Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.”
Last week, Trump ratcheted up his calls for the US to acquire control of Greenland, suggesting several options could be on the table.
“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” Trump said aboard Air Force One over the weekend. “I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way. And I am a fan of Denmark.”
The president, who has often presented a version of historical fact that differs from reality, suggested that Denmark’s claim to Greenland might be dubious.
“The fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the land,” Trump explained—possibly referencing Norse explorer Erik the Red, who first landed in Greenland in 982 CE, more than 1,000 years ago.
The first Norse colony was also established circa 986 CE, and the popular story is that Erik named the frozen island “Greenland” to attract more settlers—a bit of hyperbole that Trump would no doubt appreciate.
Moreover, the vast island, covering 836,000 square miles, has been under Danish control since before the United States existed. Copenhagen gained the island as a colony in 1721 and has maintained a presence ever since.
Europe Is Standing Firm on Greenland
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed concern that an American takeover of Greenland would effectively end NATO, but in recent weeks, European leaders have shown strong support for Denmark, even if US interests undermine the core purpose.
Over the weekend, several NATO members, led by the UK and Germany, announced that discussions are underway to increase their military presence in Greenland to address U.S. security concerns.
According to a Bloomberg report, Germany has proposed establishing a joint NATO mission to protect Greenland and the Arctic region.
Although Russia and China have indeed shown greater interest in maintaining a presence in the Arctic, NATO members have rejected Trump’s claims that Russian and Chinese vessels are routinely operating in the region.
Apart from the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, which was formalized by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386 CE, NATO is the longest-lasting military alliance, having endured for more than 75 years. It has been celebrated for its success in preventing large-scale conflict in Europe and in stopping smaller regional wars among members.
It has fostered transatlantic stability while promoting democracy.
A cornerstone of the NATO charter is that an attack on one is an attack on all—a point clearly lost on President Trump, given that the mutual defense pact (Article 5) was only invoked once, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
“NATO’s essential and enduring purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members,” NATO explained on its website.
That includes defending Greenland from foreign invasion or annexation—no matter who is doing it.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
Image: Shutterstock / Rokas Tenys.
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Источник: nationalinterest.org