US President Donald Trump made a bold statement on Monday. He declared he would proceed with his tariff plans against European countries. This move depends entirely on reaching a deal over Greenland. Trump spoke during a telephonic interview with NBC News.
Trump's Forceful Stance on Greenland
Reporters asked Trump if he would seize Greenland by force. The President offered a simple reply. He said, "no comment." Trump has intensified his efforts to gain control of Greenland from Denmark. Denmark is a fellow NATO ally. This aggressive push has prompted the European Union to consider countermeasures.
Risk to NATO Stability
The ongoing dispute poses a serious risk. It could destabilize the NATO alliance. NATO has long formed the backbone of Western security. The alliance is already under strain. The war in Ukraine and Trump's position on allied defense spending add pressure. Reuters reported these concerns.
European industry feels unsettled by the threat. Financial markets are experiencing tremors. There are fears of a return to the volatility seen during the 2025 trade war. That volatility only eased after mid-year tariff agreements.
Text Messages Reveal Nobel Prize Link
Trump's remarks gained support from a text message he sent on Sunday. He wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. Trump linked his stance on Greenland to the Nobel Peace Prize decision. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. This decision angered Trump.
Trump's message was clear. He wrote, "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America." Norway's government released the messages on Monday under freedom of information laws.
Quick Exchange with European Leaders
Prime Minister Stoere first wrote on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. They urged de-escalation and proposed a call. Trump responded in less than half an hour. His quick reply showed his firm position.
In his message, Trump repeated a claim. He said Denmark is incapable of protecting Greenland from Russia or China. He questioned Denmark's right of ownership. Trump added, "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland."
Tariff Threats and European Reactions
Last week on Saturday, Trump vowed to impose tariffs. He plans a rising wave of tariffs starting February 1. The targets include Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Britain, and Norway. These tariffs will continue until the United States can buy Greenland. Greenland has a population of about 57,000 people.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reacted strongly. He spoke during a visit to London on Monday. Rasmussen said, "We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don't trade people."
Greenland's Firm Response
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen posted on Facebook. He stated the territory must be free to determine its own future. Nielsen wrote, "We will not let ourselves be pressured. We stand firm on dialogue, on respect and on international law."
The situation remains tense. Trump's tariff threats create uncertainty for Europe. The NATO alliance faces new challenges. Markets watch closely as this geopolitical drama unfolds.
