Trump’s fixation with Greenland has ended Denmark’s love affair with the U.S.

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🗞️ Driving the news: Denmark’s long-standing pro-American stance has shifted as relations with Washington sour over President Trump’s continued pressure on Greenland
• Trump’s renewed territorial claims on the Arctic island, which comprises 98% of the Danish kingdom’s landmass, have strained the transatlantic bond and prompted Copenhagen to turn to European allies for support in defending its sovereignty
• Senior Danish officials now describe the U.S. as an increasingly “rapacious” actor rather than a trusted partner

🔭 The context: Greenland has gained strategic importance as Arctic shipping lanes open and resource competition intensifies
• Trump’s earlier bid to “buy” Greenland in 2019 was rejected and ridiculed, but his administration has since escalated demands and stepped up military interest in the territory
• Denmark has struggled to balance its security reliance on NATO with growing disillusionment over what it perceives as Washington’s disregard for its sovereignty
• There are plans to invest over $1.5 billion in Greenland’s defense infrastructure, deploying drones and modern patrols as U.S. forces withdraw from ageing bases

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The dispute underscores the geopolitical risks of Arctic warming, which is unlocking new sea routes and mineral resources while threatening fragile ecosystems
• As countries race to secure economic and strategic interests in the region, tensions risk undermining international cooperation and stability — with implications for both indigenous communities and environmental stewardship in one of the world’s most sensitive regions

⏭️ What's next: Denmark is expected to deepen defense and diplomatic ties with EU partners and possibly Canada, while continuing to modernise Greenland’s infrastructure to assert sovereignty
• Washington’s stance may depend on broader U.S.–EU relations and Arctic policy deliberations in NATO
• Analysts warn the standoff could embolden other actors, including China and Russia, to press their own Arctic ambitions, further complicating governance in the region

💬 One quote: “The U.S. was our best friend — now it acts like a foe over Greenland,” — Claus Hjort Frederiksen, former Danish defense minister

📈 One stat: Greenland represents 98% of the Danish kingdom’s landmass, yet is home to fewer than 60,000 people

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