President Trump’s Controversial Interest in Greenland Raises Global Security Concerns
CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States needs control of Greenland for security reasons. However, experts warn that attempting to acquire the island—especially by force—could lead to the collapse of one of the most important alliances in modern history: NATO.
From the White House on Monday, President Trump expressed his Arctic ambitions ahead of his scheduled meetings with NATO allies at a major economic forum in Switzerland. When asked how far he is willing to go to acquire Greenland, he responded, “Well, you’ll find out.”
For weeks, Trump’s fixation on acquiring the Danish territory of Greenland has drawn sharp criticism from European powers. Addressing questions about this goal on Tuesday, the president stated, “We will work something out where NATO is very happy and where we are happy. We need it for security; we need it for world security.”
Trump has gone as far as threatening tariffs against NATO allies who oppose the U.S. acquiring Greenland from Denmark, leading to market selloffs. He confirmed that meetings are scheduled to discuss the issue with allies but has left open the possibility of using military force to secure the island.
In response to the escalating tensions, NATO members have deployed troops to Greenland for an Arctic training mission, signaling their commitment to the region.
Expert Insight: Potential Fallout from Straining NATO Relations
Former Republican Senator and Vietnam War veteran Chuck Hagel, who served as Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama, spoke exclusively with ABC7 I-Team about the implications of Trump’s stance.
“It’s all about power. We have the power, and we’ll do whatever we want in the world. And then, that presents a very, very dangerous world,” Hagel warned.
When asked how unprecedented it is for a U.S. president to threaten taking NATO territory by force, Hagel replied, “Well, it’s unprecedented. First of all, if we take any action against Greenland, against Denmark, against collective security, we are telling the world that our most significant allies and partners since World War II—who have helped us project power and succeed— that day is gone. That collective security arrangement is over.”
Hagel cautioned that if NATO were to disband, it would thrust the world into a precarious state. “Especially for any country like the United States with no allies, no friends, nobody trusts us, and you’re by yourself, you’re going to see an America that falls in standings, in relationships, in prosperity, in security, in every way. We need our allies,” he emphasized.
Trump’s Perspective on NATO’s Strength
President Trump, however, tied NATO’s strength solely to U.S. participation, stating, “NATO, whether you like it or not, is only as good as we are. If NATO doesn’t have us, they’re not as strong.”
The president is scheduled to depart for the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Monday night, where he will meet with allies to discuss a range of issues, including Greenland.
Meanwhile, U.S. allies continue to criticize Trump’s goal to acquire Greenland. Greenland’s prime minister took to social media, warning that the island must be “prepared for the worst.”