Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Trump's Push for Greenland Control Escalates Tensions
US President Donald Trump wants the US to control Greenland, which is part of Denmark.
He thinks it's important for national security because of its location in the Arctic and its rare minerals.
Trump has threatened to put tariffs on countries that don't support his plan and has even suggested military action.
European allies, like Norway and Denmark, are against this idea.
They say Greenland should decide its own future and that the US can't just take it.
There have been protests in Greenland against Trump's threats.
The situation is making things tense between the US and its European allies.
Norway's prime minister had to explain to Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize is given by an independent committee, not the government, after Trump linked his stance on Greenland to not getting the prize.
Canada is also thinking about sending troops to Greenland for NATO exercises, showing how serious the situation has become.
US President Donald Trump is pushing for control of Greenland, citing national security and strategic interests.
European allies, including Norway and Denmark, oppose the US takeover, emphasizing Greenland's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trump has threatened tariffs and military action against countries that don't support his plan, escalating tensions with European allies.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre clarifies that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the government, in response to Trump's remarks.
Canada is considering sending troops to Greenland for NATO exercises, while European countries have already deployed military personnel to the island.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen
- What
- Escalating tensions over US demands for control of Greenland, including threats of tariffs and military action
- When
- January 20, 2026
- Where
- Greenland, Norway, Finland, US, Canada
- Why
- Trump believes Greenland is crucial for US national security and strategic interests, while European allies oppose the takeover, emphasizing sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Date
- January 20, 2026
- Location
- Greenland, Norway, Finland, US, Canada
- Key Figures
- Donald Trump, Jonas Gahr Støre, Alexander Stubb, Mark Carney, Jens-Frederik Nielsen
- Issue
- US demands for control of Greenland
- Context
- Trump's remarks on Greenland and tariffs
- Military Involvement
- NORAD, NATO, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, France, Sweden, Netherlands
- Protests
- Thousands of Greenlanders protested against US threats
- Tariffs
- Trump threatened 10% import tax on goods from eight nations
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Trump linked his Greenland ambitions to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize
- Strategic Interests
- Greenland's Arctic location and rare minerals
Sources
‘Have Clearly Explained...’: Norway PM Reminds Trump That Nobel Committee, Not Govt, Picks Winner
Donald Trump says he will impose Greenland tariffs ‘100%’, EU warns it will defend sovereignty
Trump Ties His Stance on Greenland to Not Getting Nobel Peace Prize
Europe contends with a big new threat: the US
Trump ties Nobel snub to hard line on Greenland
Canada weighs deploying troops to Greenland for Nato exercises
'Make America Go Away:' Greenlanders Put Hilarious Spin on Trump’s Slogan Amid Protests
US-Canadian Command to Send Military Aircraft to Greenland
Under Trump 2.0, US slides back to the 19th century
'Prize Awarded By Independent Nobel Committee, Not Norwegian Govt': Norway PM Responds To Trump's Message
Trump links Greenland threats to missing out on Nobel Prize
Trump links Nobel snub to Greenland push, says no longer bound to think 'peace'
Norway PM confirms Trump sent ‘chilling’ text linking Nobel snub to Greenland control, says told POTUS 'not our fault'
No longer obliged to think of peace
Trump linked Greenland push to Nobel Peace Prize frustration in private text, says Norway PM
Norway PM rebukes Trump over 'no longer obliged' message post Nobel snub, says happy to repeat that…
'We Don't Award It': Norway PM As Trump Links Nobel Prize To Greenland Threat
Norway PM confirms Donald Trump’s text linking Nobel Peace Prize snub to Greenland and tariff threats
Can 25th Amendment be used against Trump over Greenland letter to Norway PM? Here's what we know
Trump says he stopped eight ‘wars’. Where the conflicts broke out — and what remains
Why an emboldened Trump set his sights on Greenland
Here’s what Donald Trump doesn’t get: Peace is the prize
Why does Trump want Greenland? Can he seize it, & is it normal to ‘buy’ another country?
Why US Greenland standoff signals US imperial over reach?
'EU Won't Push Back': Trump Mocks NATO Allies With Altered US Map That Includes Greenland
War over Greenland soon? America's Arctic-trained 11th airborne division on standby as more Danish troops arrive
How Trump went from supporting the Chagos Islands deal to calling it stupid
Trump pressures Macron with publication of private message, threat of wine tariffs
Russia’s foreign minister says Greenland not ‘a natural part’ of Denmark
Greenland, Canada in 'new map of USA': Trump fuels territory feuds with allies
Trump, sharing leaked texts and AI mock-ups, vows ‘no going back’ on Greenland
Trump shares AI-generated map showing Greenland, Canada in US territory — check photos
EU Commission working on package to support Arctic security, von der Leyen says
EU Official Questions Trump’s Credibility After Greenland Tariff Threat
‘Not A Natural Part Of Denmark’: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov On Greenland Amid Trump's Push For US Takeover Of Island
In justifying Greenland bid, why Trump cited the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia
To counter Trump, EU pledges 'unflinching' response, 'massive' Greenland investments
After linking his Greenland takeover push to Nobel Peace Prize snub, Trump says he doesn’t care about the award
‘If anybody thinks that...’: After linking it to Greenland takeover, Trump says he ‘doesn’t care’ about Nobel Peace Prize
Donald Trump again claims credit for ending India-Pakistan conflict, says Norway controls Nobel Prize
Trump again: Stopped India-Pak war, denied Nobel Prize
Trump To Meet 'Various Parties' At Davos Over Greenland Bid
S&P 500 drops over 1% on Trump's tariff threat to EU allies over Greenland
France supports suspension of EU-US trade deal, foreign minister says
'We Prefer Respect To Bullies, Rule Of Law To Brutality': Macron At Davos
Trump’s Greenland ambitions push NATO to the edge
‘Very hard for me to imagine how...’: Zelensky gets invitation to join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ - BUT there’s a problem
‘Would Be In The Ash Heap Of History’: Trump Says NATO Exists Because Of Him Ahead Of Davos
Trump on Greenland: we’ll work out something to make US and NATO ‘very happy’
Trump says he won’t attend G7 meeting in Paris