The former Prime Minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, has issued a stark warning that her country is being "bullied" by the United States in a dispute over Greenland, creating what she describes as an "extremely dangerous situation" for the NATO alliance.
A Schoolyard Dynamic with Global Stakes
In a candid interview with Sky News's Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Thorning-Schmidt drew a powerful analogy for the current tensions. "We're a very small country, and to be honest with you, we feel bullied," she stated. "We feel bullied by a bigger nation. It is like in the schoolyard." Her comments, made on Friday 9 January 2026, come directly after US President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the vast, semi-autonomous Arctic territory.
The White House has confirmed the topic is under active discussion. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that acquiring Greenland is "something that's currently being actively discussed by the president and national security team." President Trump himself framed the potential acquisition as a matter of national security earlier in the week.
The Threat to NATO and a 'Fantastic Day' for Adversaries
Thorning-Schmidt, who served as Denmark's leader from 2011 to 2015, framed the US pressure as nothing less than "an act of aggression." She urged British listeners to imagine the provocation if "you suddenly had an American flag over" the British Isles. The former PM warned that any hostile American action towards Greenland would signal "the end of NATO as we know it."
She elaborated on the grave geopolitical consequences, stating that a conflict between the US and Denmark or NATO over Greenland "would be a fantastic day for Mr Putin, and President Xi in China." This, she argued, undermines the very foundation upon which the transatlantic alliance was built.
Diplomatic Moves and a Potential Peaceful Path
The crisis has prompted high-level diplomatic activity. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to President Trump by phone on Wednesday, where he "set out his position on Greenland." Starmer has been unequivocal in Parliament, asserting that "Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark." He also reiterated this stance in a call with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on Thursday.
Despite the strong language, Thorning-Schmidt expressed hope that Trump's approach is a "negotiating tactic." She pointed out that the US already operates the Thule Air Base in Greenland and suggested there is a peaceful alternative. "All of that could be done in collaboration with Denmark, Greenland and NATO, and we would be stronger for it," she said, referring to an expanded US presence. She contrasted this collaborative path with a hostile one, stating the alliance faces a clear "fork in the road."
The former leader concluded that the US stance has been a "big shock to the Danish way of thinking about allies," given Denmark's consistent contributions to American and NATO missions. She praised European leaders for their current handling of the situation, cautioning against unnecessary escalation while the possibility for a peaceful settlement remains.
