European leaders and Greenlandic officials have delivered a sharp rebuke to the United States after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller insisted that Greenland “should be part of the United States” and suggested no country would oppose Washington militarily if it pursued the self-governing island.
The remarks have intensified fears in Europe and the Nordic region that President Donald Trump’s long-standing interest in Greenland is shifting from rhetoric to open territorial ambition – triggering a rare show of unity from European capitals and a firm rejection from Greenland itself.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and part of NATO. The island already hosts US military facilities under existing defence agreements, making calls for US ownership both unnecessary and destabilising, critics argue.
Miller doubles down
In a combative interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday, Miller repeatedly refused to rule out military action and claimed American power would deter any resistance.
“Obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States,” Miller said, citing what he called “the power of NATO.”
Pressed on whether force was being considered, he said there was “no need” to discuss the issue in the context of a military operation, adding:
“We live in a world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world.”
He concluded: “Nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”
Tensions were further inflamed after former Trump official Katie Miller, Stephen Miller’s wife, posted an image of Greenland covered by a US flag captioned ‘SOON’ shortly after the recent US military operation in Venezuela – a move widely interpreted in Europe as provocative.
Europe closes ranks
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded by reminding Washington that Denmark and Greenland are already covered by NATO’s collective defence.
“The Kingdom of Denmark – and thus Greenland – is part of NATO and is therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee. We already have a defence agreement with the United States, which gives the US wide access to Greenland,” Frederiksen said.
“I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have said very clearly that they are not for sale.”
On Monday, she issued an even stronger warning:
“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.”
Her comments came as the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark issued a joint statement affirming their support for Greenland and Denmark and rejecting any suggestion that Greenland’s status is negotiable.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” the statement said.
“The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO… Security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”
The leaders added:
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
Greenland: “We are not for sale”
Greenlandic leaders also moved quickly to shut down any notion of US ownership.
It comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers that the goal is to buy the island from Denmark.
Greenland’s Premier Múte B. Egede said the island’s future is not up for discussion in Washington.
“Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale. Our future is decided by the people of Greenland,” he said, adding that cooperation with the US on defence does not equate to surrendering sovereignty.
Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt echoed that position, warning that talk of annexation undermines trust.
“We want strong partnerships – including with the United States – but they must be based on mutual respect. Threats and fantasies about ownership do not build trust,” she said.
Experts warn of NATO crisis
Arctic and security analysts say Miller’s remarks mark a dangerous escalation.
Professor Lassi Heininen, an Arctic policy expert, said:
“Even floating the idea of taking territory from a NATO ally strikes at the heart of the alliance. It creates uncertainty where there should be absolute clarity.”
Danish defence analyst Camilla Tenna Nørup warned that such rhetoric risks pushing European allies closer together in opposition.
“This is exactly the kind of language that hardens positions in Europe. Instead of strengthening NATO, it weakens cohesion and trust,” she said.
