Trump: "Greenland Must Be Controlled by the U.S., Not Denmark"...Another Rift in NATO

"May Withdraw Troops from Europe," Trump Warns
"Aims to Accelerate European Defense Spending"

AP Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump, at the NATO summit held on July 7 (local time), once again raised the issue of Greenland’s ownership, putting pressure on NATO member states. This move is analyzed as part of a strategy to garner support for the war in Iran and to push European countries to increase their defense spending.

At a press conference immediately after arriving in Ankara, Türkiye, where the NATO summit took place on July 7 (local time), President Trump stated, “Greenland must be controlled by the United States,” adding, “Europe’s refusal to support my expansionist ambitions has worsened the relationship between NATO and the United States.” He further emphasized, “Greenland is currently surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships, but Denmark is not providing adequate support. Greenland is a highly important region for the United States.”

He also demanded that Denmark and NATO’s European allies support U.S. ownership of Greenland. President Trump warned, “If Europe does not agree to U.S. control over Greenland, there will be no need for us to spend money on Europe or to keep our forces there. We may withdraw all troops.” He continued, “Europe is a completely different place than it was 20 years ago. Now, Europe must be careful about immigration and energy issues. If they neglect these matters, Europe may cease to exist.”

President Trump also criticized European countries for refusing to support the United States in the Iran war. He said, “I am deeply disappointed in NATO. European countries did not help the United States,” and added, “UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who did not support us during the war, is absent from this summit as well. It seems his lack of support made him very unpopular.”

Denmark immediately pushed back against President Trump’s remarks. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister who attended the NATO summit alongside President Trump, expressed her displeasure, stating, “I expect our allies to respect Denmark’s sovereignty and to accept that Greenland is not for sale.”

Observers have analyzed President Trump’s pressure on NATO as a strategic move to raise the defense spending of NATO member states. The Guardian reported, “Even before the summit, President Trump criticized the fact that only a few NATO countries have reached the defense spending goal of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.” The report continued, “There are concerns that if Europe does not rapidly increase its defense spending, President Trump will use this as justification for reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe, accusing Europe of free-riding on security.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.