Trump has revived his ambitions to incorporate Greenland into US territory citing national security, prompting European leaders to voice support for Denmark. 'Greenland belongs to its people - and Denmark is its guarantor.'
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| France's President Emmanuel Macron @Copyright AP Photo |
Exactly one year after Donald Trump first announced his intention to integrate Greenland into US territory on grounds of “national protection”, he's back for more.
The US president has appointed Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the new US special envoy for Greenland with the stated objective of “integrating Greenland into the United States” and repeated the US needs the territory for its national security.
His comments have been taken seriously by EU heads of state and government, who are presenting a united front against what they describe as American expansionist ambitions towards the autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
France's President Emmanuel Macron and his Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, both responded to the announcement by reaffirming their support for the integrity of Denmark's territory.
"Greenland belongs to its people. Denmark stands as its guarantor. I join my voice to that of Europeans in expressing our full solidarity."
On Tuesday, Trump told reporters the United States "needs Greenland for national security, not for minerals or oil, but national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, there are Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. So, we need this for protection."
He also chastised Denmark for what he described neglecting the territory, "they have spent no money, they have no military protection, they say Denmark arrived there 300 years ago with boats - we were there with boats too, I'm sure. We'll have to work it all out."
In Nuuk, I reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 23, 2025
Greenland belongs to its people.
Denmark stands as its guarantor.
I join my voice to that of Europeans in expressing our full solidarity. pic.twitter.com/W3EUn3dAME
Adding to the European voices pushing back on the US ambitions and the criticism of Denmark, Commission Ursula von der Leyen insisted that “territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law”. Despite the tone coming out of Washington, she appeared to refer to the US as an ally in arctic security.
Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, and one in which we seek to work with allies and partners.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 22, 2025
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.
These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but…
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed those remarks. "Respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity is central to the EU and to all nations of the world," he wrote on X. "Security in the Arctic is a priority in which we seek to work with allies and partners."
The US and Denmark are part of NATO, which is supposed to ensure mutual defence in the event of aggression against one of its members. That principle has never been tested by conflict between members of the alliance if one were to seize territory from another.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has so far remained silent on the issue. During a press conference with Trump in the White House's Oval Office in March, he also chose not to comment after a question from a journalist.
"When it comes to Greenland, if it joins the US or not, I will leave that outside of me in this discussion because I don't want to drag NATO into that," he said.
