If you thought Trump had given up on Greenland – think again

NATO allies were left trembling as Trump used the Ankara summit to reaffirm the US’s claims over Greenland.

Whoever thought that the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, would be a chance to mend the rifts and promote unity may be very disappointed.

US President Donald J. Trump arrived in Turkey with all his known grievances right and center: allies freeloading on US defense spending, and the lack of cooperation during the war in Iran were inevitable issues.

U.S. troops in Greenland. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of War.

But Europeans were caught by surprise yesterday when Trump reiterated that the Arctic Island of Greenland should be controlled by ​the United States, not Denmark.

This stance is causing major tensions among NATO allies and is one that many had hoped had been left behind.

‘Greenland is very important for the United States, but it’s NOT important for Denmark’ — Trump

‘In fact, we took Greenland and then stupidly we gave it back…’ pic.twitter.com/Sbk5DDvpfG

— RT (@RT_com) July 8, 2026

Reuters reported:

“Trump’s assertions that the U.S. must acquire or control Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, have long strained relations between Washington and Copenhagen — both founding NATO members — ​and more broadly U.S. ties with Europe. The issue has since moved to a diplomatic ​track.

‘That should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark’, Trump said ⁠of Greenland in comments to reporters during a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.”

🗣️ ‘Greenland is of course not for sale’

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterates that Greenland is ‘not for sale’ at the NATO summit in Ankara after US President Donald Trump suggests the territory should be controlled by Washington rather than Copenhagen

🔴… pic.twitter.com/UILgbpeBRn

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 8, 2026

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen again stated that allies must respect the sovereignty of the Danish kingdom and accept that Greenland is not for sale.

But that’s not happening.

“Trump said the issue ⁠of control over Greenland had harmed U.S. ties with NATO.

‘That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO, because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. ​Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an ​important part ⁠for the United States, and it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships, and that’s not going to happen’, he said. ‘They (Denmark) wouldn’t go along with it, and with all the money ⁠we ​spend to help them with Russia’.”

NATO’s Rutte on Trump and Greenland:

The President was right. There is an issue in the Arctic when it comes to China and Russia trying to gain access. We need to make sure that the Arctic stays safe.

And it was a good discussion, because obviously Denmark is a sovereign… pic.twitter.com/0AjvMMT9gE

— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 7, 2026

The Telegraph reported:

“Denmark, which has sovereignty over Greenland, has repeatedly insisted that the territory is not for sale. Previous estimates have suggested that it would cost Mr. Trump around $700bn (£520bn) to purchase the island.

Mr. Trump is believed to want control over mineral-rich Greenland to provide the US with a strategic supply of the materials needed to build weapons, should it go to war with China.

American bases on the island also play a key role in the country’s wider missile defenses.

Danish officials have sought to defuse tensions by offering Mr. Trump the opportunity to expand America’s military presence on the island through an existing Cold War-era defense agreement.”

Read more:

GREENLAND TIES: US Opens New Consulate in Nuuk, Strengthening Its Presence in Arctic Island

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