Europe supports Denmark against Trump's desire to annex Greenland

In a move reflecting broad European solidarity, several prominent European leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their full and unconditional support for Denmark, following renewed statements by US President Donald Trump revealing his continued desire to annex Greenland . The self-governing island is an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the US proposal has sparked a wave of diplomatic displeasure across Europe.

The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain issued a joint statement, published by the German Chancellery, emphasizing that "Denmark and Greenland alone have the right to self-determination and to decide on all matters relating to their sovereignty." The leaders reiterated an important geopolitical fact: Denmark is a strategic ally and an active member of NATO, just as the United States is, which necessitates mutual respect between allies.

Strategic importance and conflict over resources

The American desire to annex Greenland is not without foundation; it is based on geopolitical and economic realities that make the island a coveted prize for great powers. Greenland occupies a vital strategic location between North America, Europe, and Russia, and serves as a gateway to the Arctic, an area witnessing increasing international competition as ice melts and new shipping lanes open. Furthermore, the island is rich in vast natural resources and rare minerals essential for modern technological industries, making control of it a strategic asset for any nation.

The joint European statement emphasized the security dimension of the issue: "The Kingdom of Denmark , including Greenland, is part of NATO. The security of the Arctic region must be a shared responsibility of all NATO members, including the United States." This text clearly indicates Europe's rejection of any unilateral actions that could threaten the stability of the Arctic region.

Historical background of American ambitions

It is worth noting that the United States' interest in Greenland is not new. In 1946, US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold for the island, an offer that was rejected. The island already hosts Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base and a vital component of the missile early warning system. However, transforming this military presence into a complete takeover of the territory would conflict with the principles of modern international law.

In their statement, the European leaders stressed the need to respect "the principles of the UN Charter, in particular sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders," concluding with a firm statement: "These are universal principles, and we will not cease to defend them.".

Greenland government's reaction

For his part, Greenland's Prime Minister, Fredrik Nielsen, expressed his deep gratitude for the unified European stance. He wrote in a post on his official Facebook page: "At a time when the US President is once again saying that the United States is absolutely serious about its statements regarding Greenland, this support from our NATO allies is crucial and unequivocal.".

Nielsen added, urging Washington to return to diplomatic norms: "I would like to reiterate my call for the United States to engage in a respectful dialogue through appropriate diplomatic and political channels, utilizing existing forums based on previously reached agreements with the United States." This response underscores Al Jazeera's desire to maintain good relations with Washington as a partner, not as a commodity to be bought and sold.