Trump's Greenland push blindsides allies and own team

Monday 26 January 2026 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump's Greenland push blindsides allies and own team

President Trump's push to acquire Greenland has strained transatlantic ties and exposed a pattern of foreign policy moves bypassing traditional diplomatic channels, catching both allies and top U.S. officials in his administration off guard.

Reuters reports that when U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials met in Nuuk last month, no talk surfaced of military or financial takeover of the Danish territory. Less than two weeks later, Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy, who pledged on social media to help make Greenland part of the United States, stunning Copenhagen and surprising administration figures focused on Europe and NATO.

Tensions peaked early January after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller refused to rule out force for Greenland on CNN, sowing confusion among allies. Trump himself tasked the Joint Special Operations Command with planning what he termed a possible invasion.

The administration threatened up to 25% tariffs on eight European nations until they backed Trump's takeover. These steps appeared driven by Trump and a tight circle, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick who pitched the tariff strategy, while Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged against military force.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats and Republicans voiced alarm. Some GOP lawmakers warned administration officials of potential impeachment over a Greenland invasion. Republican senators vowed to block any forced acquisition.

Trump reversed course in his January 21 Davos speech: "I don't need to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force." He dropped tariff threats and announced a framework deal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Experts warn the alliance damage lingers despite de-escalation. Kori Schake, former Pentagon and White House official at the American Enterprise Institute, said: "Trump is so unpredictable in his threats that there's no assurance he won't do it again. He's made the U.S. unreliable to our closest friends."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Greenland on January 23 to reassure residents, insisting: "We cannot negotiate our sovereignty." She condemned "the threats, pressure, and condescending talk from our closest ally for generations."

The White House defended Trump's approach. Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated the president "was elected to pursue a foreign policy that puts America first, and he's done it more effectively through his top-down style." She added that if finalized, the framework would secure "all U.S. strategic goals on Greenland at very little cost, forever."

The U.S. already operates a base in Greenland and can expand under a 1951 treaty with Denmark. Uncertainty persists over whether Trump's claims will resurface or if this episode signals lasting transatlantic trust erosion.