Trump: US annexation of Greenland ‘inevitable,’ NATO may intervene

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Mar 2025 11:38
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As Trump renews his push for US control over Greenland, he calls on NATO to support Washington’s efforts, citing security concerns.

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President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House in Washington, on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Pool via AP)

US President Donald Trump has urged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to support Washington in “securing” Greenland, discussing the matter during their meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Trump first proposed purchasing the Danish autonomous territory in 2019 and has revived the idea since returning to office. Speaking at a recent joint session of Congress, he declared that the US would secure the island “one way or the other.”

When asked by journalists on Thursday about the “potential annexation of Greenland,” Trump responded, “I think it will happen.” Turning to the NATO chief, he added, “I didn’t give it much thought before, but I’m sitting with a man who could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security. We have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coasts, and we have to be careful. We’ll be talking to you.”

Rutte, however, downplayed the idea, chuckling as he replied, “When it comes to Greenland, joining or not joining the US, I would leave that outside... this discussion, because I do not want to drag NATO into that.”

Despite this, the NATO chief acknowledged Trump’s concerns about what the US perceives as growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, agreeing that Western nations should work “together on this under the US leadership.”

Trump reiterated Greenland’s strategic importance, emphasizing, “I think that’s why NATO might have to get involved in a way.” He also pointed out the existing US military presence on the island, stating, “We have a couple of bases and quite a few soldiers in Greenland. Maybe you’ll see more and more soldiers go there.”

Addressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump quipped, “What do you think about that, Pete? Don’t answer that, Pete. Don’t answer that question.”

Trump’s remarks quickly drew a reaction from Greenland. Outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede took to Facebook to criticize the US president, stating, “The thought of annexing us... Enough is enough.”

Greenland party that told Trump 'No' wins election with 29.9% of votes

Greenland’s center-right opposition party, which famously told US President Donald Trump that the country was "not for sale," won the country’s parliamentary elections on Wednesday, according to official results.

The Demokraatit party secured 29.9% of the vote, stripping the center-left's ruling coalition of its majority and positioning itself as a decisive force in Greenland’s political future.

Party leader Jens Frederik Nielsen, a former badminton champion, has been a vocal opponent of foreign interference, particularly in response to Trump’s repeated assertions that the US could purchase the Arctic island.

Demokraatit, which advocates for a gradual path to independence from Denmark, saw a significant rise in support, up from 9.1% in the previous election. The party outperformed the nationalist Naleraq party, which favors a swift break from Danish rule.

The pro-independence Naleraq saw its support more than double to 24.5% of votes, placing it second behind Demokraatit. The two parties in the outgoing center-left coalition government came in third and fourth place.

"We respect the election result," outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede, who leads the left-green Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party, told Greenland's public broadcaster KNR, while the leader of the Siumut party, IA's coalition partner, conceded defeat.

With no party securing a majority in Greenland’s 31-seat parliament, negotiations to form a coalition government will take place in the coming days.

The incoming government is expected to outline a timeline for Greenland’s independence, a goal supported by a significant majority of its 57,000 residents.

"The Democrats are open to talks with all parties and are seeking unity. Especially with what is going on in the world," said Nielsen, expressing his surprise by the party's victory.

"We didn't expect the election to have this outcome, we're very happy."