Danish Prime Minister Rejects Trump’s Proposal to Buy Greenland at NATO Summit

On the second day of the NATO summit in Turkey, aimed at demonstrating alliance unity against threats from Russia and China, a public dispute erupted between Denmark and the United States. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed demand that Denmark sell or transfer control of Greenland to Washington. Frederiksen stated, "Greenland is obviously not for sale," emphasizing Denmark’s clear and longstanding position. She underscored Denmark’s commitment to defending every inch of NATO territory, including Greenland, citing the alliance’s founding principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Frederiksen also referenced Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which obligates collective defense, and noted she had not heard any indication that the U.S. would disregard this commitment. Trump had previously suggested during his first term that the U.S. should purchase or take control of Greenland, citing its strategic importance for American security and warning that if Russia gained control over the surrounding sea routes, it would pose a threat to the U.S. He argued that Denmark and Europe lack the capability to adequately defend the island.

At the NATO summit, Trump reiterated his stance that Greenland should be under U.S. control but avoided the harsher threats he had made earlier about potentially seizing the island. Previous polls indicate that most Greenland residents currently do not favor independence from Denmark, nor do they support joining the United States.