European Allies Unite Against US Claims on Greenland After Trump Aide’s Bold Assertion
Washington – Leaders from eight European countries issued a unified defense of Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland on Tuesday, just hours after a senior Trump administration official declared that the Arctic territory should become part of the United States, escalating tensions within the NATO alliance.
In a joint statement, heads of state from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, emphasized that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that only Denmark and Greenland have the authority to determine their mutual affairs.
The rare collective response followed provocative comments by Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a key Trump advisor. Miller challenged Denmark’s historical claim to Greenland and stated that it was the official stance of the Trump administration for the territory to join the US.
“By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?” Miller asked, arguing that as NATO’s leading power, the United States required Greenland to safeguard the Arctic and protect alliance interests.
ALSO READ : Trump Admits PM Modi ‘Not Happy’ Over US Tariffs on India, Cites Russian Oil Trade as Key Issue
Miller evaded repeated questions about ruling out military force, dismissing the idea of resistance given Greenland’s small population of around 30,000, and insisting no one would confront the US militarily over the issue.
The European leaders’ statement underscored the need for collective Arctic security through NATO, while upholding UN Charter principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. It noted Denmark’s NATO membership, which extends to Greenland.
Individually, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US invasion would effectively dissolve NATO. Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, stated that an attack on Denmark would trigger alliance obligations to defend it, potentially placing the US at odds with Europe.
Greenland, a former Danish colony that gained autonomy in 1953, remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark under the Rigsfællesskab framework, with Copenhagen handling defense, foreign affairs, and security.
Miller’s remarks were prompted by a social media post from his wife, a former White House staffer, showing a map of Greenland in American colors captioned “Soon,” following US actions in Venezuela involving the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
No prior US administration has contested Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.