Donald Trump ties US troop presence in Europe to demand for Greenland control

At the NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump revived his long‑standing claim that Greenland should be under American control, describing the Arctic island as vital for U.S. security and accusing Denmark of neglecting its defence. He said a “good deal on Greenland” would influence decisions about the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe and criticised NATO for not addressing U.S. concerns.

European leaders rejected the demand. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen affirmed that Greenland is not for sale and that NATO’s collective‑defence clause would protect Denmark and its territory. The European Commission reiterated solidarity with Denmark, emphasizing territorial integrity and the right of Greenlanders to decide their future. officials from Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Latvia and other NATO members also voiced support for Danish sovereignty.

Former U.S. national‑security adviser John Bolton described Trump’s Greenland rhetoric as “trolling people,” while Trump’s own statements linked the Greenland issue to broader alliance‑burden‑sharing debates and hinted that a larger U.S. troop withdrawal from Europe could depend on the outcome of Greenland negotiations.