Donald Trump has threatened to pull all American troops out of Europe, renewing his criticism of NATO allies over their opposition to his ambition to annex Greenland. The president made the remarks at the start of a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, arguing that the US needs to take over the mineral-rich Arctic island on national security grounds.
Trump's Greenland Demand Sparks Transatlantic Tensions
Trump claimed that Greenland 'should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,' and that 'Denmark doesn't spend money to really help Greenland, but it's an important part for the United States, and it's surrounded by Chinese ships and Russian ships, and that's not going to happen.' He added that the dispute 'hurt my relationship with Nato.'
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously joined other European leaders in backing fellow NATO member Denmark, insisting they would 'not stop defending' Greenland's territorial integrity, fueling transatlantic tensions.
Warning on Europe's Future
Trump argued that 'Europe's a very different place than it was 20 years ago, a lot different, much different, much different, and they better be careful with immigration and energy. If they're not careful with those two things, you're not going to have a Europe anymore.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves responded: 'The future of Greenland is up to the people of Greenland and of Denmark, and not up to the US president. I've been very clear about that ever since it was first suggested.'
Broader NATO Strains
Greenland has been just one of the flashpoints in fraught relations between the US and its NATO partners. Trump recently launched a fresh onslaught on allies' defence budgets, claiming Washington was bankrolling other countries 'without getting any benefit.' US defence secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of American military forces in Europe, questioning if some members were meeting their spending commitments.
Tensions have also been inflamed over what Trump viewed as a lack of support by countries for his war against Iran. The president has cast doubt on America's commitment to the long-standing NATO alliance, branding it 'a paper tiger.'
