US threatens to annex Greenland - 2025/2026

[otto]

With a promise of old wine in new bottles ...

"I think Trump felt compelled to abandon his Greenland dream. We're seeing a president who thought he could easily annex Greenland, who completely miscalculated and underestimated the reaction that would provoke in Europe and NATO countries. He tried to sell a loss as a huge success.

That is what Laurien Crump, foreign policy expert at Radboud University, says in 'Het kwartier'.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/liveblog/mark-rutte-met-de-hoogste-commandanten-in-de-navo-snel-uitwerk~1768395068931/

 

[Herat]

With a promise of old wine in new bottles ...

"I think Trump felt compelled to abandon his Greenland dream. We're seeing a president who thought he could easily annex Greenland, who completely miscalculated and underestimated the reaction that would provoke in Europe and NATO countries. He tried to sell a loss as a huge success.

That is what Laurien Crump, foreign policy expert at Radboud University, says in 'Het kwartier'.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/liveblog/mark-rutte-met-de-hoogste-commandanten-in-de-navo-snel-uitwerk~1768395068931/

Yeah, I see a complete failure on Greenland, but he's very happy to have smoked out Europe's NATO plans, so that Putin can take advantage of them.

 

[LAborn]

Unfortunately, Greenlanders often seemed left out of the public and political discourse when it comes to the future of their own country. It is their land, their territory and it should ultimately be their decision. For example, he stated today he needs Greenland to actualize his dreams for the golden dome as though his fantasies would ever or should ever take priority over the rights and wishes of the native 56,000 Greenlandic people or entitles him to violate Greenland’s sovereignty. His dreams and desires are not their problem and they have made it quite clear they are not interested in becoming part of the United States of America, according to ABC News. In other words, he doesn’t need the golden dome but he does he need accept that the people of Greenland said no.


According to Aljazeer, the people of Greenland have already rejected the idea of becoming part of America or the notion that it could or should be acquired either through force or being bought. So what more is there to discuss? No means no and we should respect the people of Greenland, their government and the fact that the right and power to determine fate of the country and land of Greenland as whole belongs to them and only them first.

Whatever his national security concerns and needs are there are far better ways to address and cope with them besides trying to undermine and take control of a sovereign state

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014020416860573726

Greenland is an island covered by a sheet of ice but even so even it was just “a piece of ice” then why is he so obsessed with it? If a piece of ice with a flare for starting drama is all he is really looking for can’t he just purchase the iceberg that sank the Titanic so that we can all move on?

Also for a country he has seeming been obsessed over and claims absolutely needs to be annexed to US, even at the expense of breaking with NATO and the consideration of the use of military force to claim dominion over, due to national security concerns it is startling he seemingly can’t even really remember its name or repeatedly confuses it with and refers to it as Iceland. How essential can it really be to acquire if his memory just whittles it down to a big piece of ice in his head?

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/greenland-relegated-stepping-stone-trump-europe-standoff-party/story

Greenland’s strategic position in seven maps: Why Trump wants the island

The world’s largest island sits in the Arctic Circle and is strategically and economically valuable.

www.aljazeera.com

JMO/speculation

He kept referring to it as Iceland too!!! Not just a "piece of ice". Good lord, it's insane he's the leader, of ANYTHING!

 

[Charlot123]

I doubt that is possible due to how land is allotted in Greenland. How could a foreign country own land in Greenland when citizens cannot? It would be a big mistake to give a foreign country rights that citizens of Greenland do not have. Furthermore, US military bases would demand more and more territory until they had ownership of the majority of the Island.

Which btw has a precedent. Land ownership, land property as the concept that emerged in sedentary tribes, but was not existing in nomadic ones. (Mongols didn’t have the concept of land ownership, either.) In Russia, the tribes similar to Inuits (the Evenks, the Eskimos) were semi-nomadic or nomadic and also did not have the concept of land ownership. I don’t know how one can define American Natives, but one suspects that with harsh climate, it was a mixture of nomadic and periodic sedentary life. People move where land “gives”. Hence, the concept that “we don’t own the land, we are its inhabitants, like birds or animals” made sense to them. It is a very serious clash of ideas between the Natives and the Invaders and a source of the total lack of understanding as other forms of property (e.g. tools, such as adzes) the Natives had.

Hence historically, all land treaties in North America favored the invaders and ended up with the reservations. You cannot negotiate a good deal on something you view as not yours.

Maybe, just maybe, the Māoris who IMHO got a better historical deal from “their” invaders in New Zealand, and had land ownership in a tribal form, were saved by precisely this fact.

But I understand that different perceptions of what land is make treaties impossible.

 

[Ruminations]

I'm wondering if the word "lease" is what set him off to begin with. He doesn't want to be a renter.

Who knows.

Whatever the case, he could've negotiated, without scaring the world, about military bases that were already available to USA.

jmopinion

IMO, one of the agendas, for the benefit of Putin, was to rattle, if not destroy, NATO.

Mission accomplished already, and this is not over yet.

I guess this "concepts of a plan" thing is new on the international stage, but Americans know what Trump means by that as they pay their skyrocketing health insurance premiums. Trump doesn't have a good track record for accuracy when he reports he has the beginnings of a plan.

I think it's a waste of space and ink to speculate what is in the works when the answer could be nothing at all.

MOO

 

[otto]

Greenland's sovereignty is safe for now, and extra retaliatory tariffs from the US on the EU are temporarily suspended, but trust is broken and the EU will not easily forget.

"It raises the question of how much friendship can still be considered when the Americans disregard the sovereignty of NATO allies and previous trade agreements. Commission President von der Leyen already expressed her frustration in a speech in Davos on Tuesday: "In both politics and business, a deal is a deal. And when friends shake hands, it has to mean something."
...

After a conversation with NATO chief Mark Rutte, the president announced on social media that import tariffs are off the table. There is an agreement to better protect the Arctic within NATO, Greenland was not discussed at all last night.

For European leaders, this means short-term relief. The plan to retaliate with European import tariffs or by banning American companies from the European market can be shelved. But concerns about relations with the Americans have not disappeared. The past few weeks will not be forgotten quickly in Brussels."

Trump's fickleness is forcing EU leaders to seek a new relationship with the Americans."

EU-leiders praten na bewogen week over nieuwe Trump-strategie

In Brussel zijn de zorgen over Trump nog niet weg nadat hij vooralsnog afziet van het willen innemen van Groenland.

nos.nl

 

[Herat]

All this establishes is that #47's word has no value and he can reneg on any agreement that the other party entered into in good faith.

 

[Inthedetails]

IMO, one of the agendas, for the benefit of Putin, was to rattle, if not destroy, NATO.

Mission accomplished already, and this is not over yet.

I guess this "concepts of a plan" thing is new on the international stage, but Americans know what Trump means by that as they pay their skyrocketing health insurance premiums. Trump doesn't have a good track record for accuracy when he reports he has the beginnings of a plan.

I think it's a waste of space and ink to speculate what is in the works when the answer could be nothing at all.

MOO

Mission: cause chaos, spread widely

jmo

 

[PrairieWind]

German chancellor Merz seems to be siding with Trump and the US now. There is clearly something else going on her behind the scenes.

 

[SouthAussie]

German chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trump’s change of heart: “I am very grateful that President Trump has distanced himself from his original plans to take over Greenland, and I am also grateful that he has refrained from imposing additional tariffs on 1 February.”

The European parliament can now go ahead with discussions on the EU-US trade deal, following Trump’s tariff threat reversal, its president, Roberta Metsola, said.

Relations with US have taken ‘big blow’, says EU foreign policy chief

Comments came at emergency EU meeting called after weeks of escalating threats from Donald Trump to annex Greenland

www.theguardian.com

 

[PrairieWind]

German chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trump’s change of heart: “I am very grateful that President Trump has distanced himself from his original plans to take over Greenland, and I am also grateful that he has refrained from imposing additional tariffs on 1 February.”

The European parliament can now go ahead with discussions on the EU-US trade deal, following Trump’s tariff threat reversal, its president, Roberta Metsola, said.

Relations with US have taken ‘big blow’, says EU foreign policy chief

Comments came at emergency EU meeting called after weeks of escalating threats from Donald Trump to annex Greenland

www.theguardian.com

Merz:
"We Europeans, we Germans, know how precious the trust is on which NATO rests. In an age of great powers, the United States, too, will depend on this trust. It is their — and our — decisive competitive advantage."
Europe and the United States must repair the trust on which the transatlantic alliance was built, he said.'

Merz explained how Europe had become no longer competitive and the threat of China. I am confident in Germany and the United States future are allies.

 

[Charlot123]

German chancellor Merz seems to be siding with Trump and the US now. There is clearly something else going on her behind the scenes.

For this, we have to look at what’s happening in Germany. It seems that alt-right movement is on the rise there, and every politician wants to keep his place and status quo within the country. Could that play a certain role?

 

[SouthAussie]

For this, we have to look at what’s happening in Germany. It seems that alt-right movement is on the rise there, and every politician wants to keep his place and status quo within the country. Could that play a certain role?

I think that what is being said publicly, and what is being said privately, are two different things.

This article explains that Merz is trying to avoid a confrontation with the US, but his diplomats were privately ready to join the ACI process if the US takes over Greenland. (ACI is the European Anti Coercion Instrument)


In private, German diplomats have joined forces with their French counterparts in a rare show of unity to signal they would be ready to support beginning the ACI process. “There is indeed a convergence in the positions between France and Germany, which was previously unthinkable,” said the EU diplomat.

The 5 Europeans deciding how to handle Trump

A summit of EU leaders in Brussels will chart a new course for transatlantic relations. But who wants what?

www.politico.eu

 

[PrairieWind]

I think that what is being said publicly, and what is being said privately, are two different things.

This article explains that Merz is trying to avoid a confrontation with the US, but his diplomats were privately ready to join the ACI process. (ACI is the European Anti Coercion Instrument)


In private, German diplomats have joined forces with their French counterparts in a rare show of unity to signal they would be ready to support beginning the ACI process. “There is indeed a convergence in the positions between France and Germany, which was previously unthinkable,” said the EU diplomat.

The 5 Europeans deciding how to handle Trump

A summit of EU leaders in Brussels will chart a new course for transatlantic relations. But who wants what?

www.politico.eu

But Trump did back off the tariff threat. And I don't think Germany or France and certainly most of the rest of the EU wants to do the ACI, it is economic disaster for Europe. Merz is acknowledging that they need to work this out. Trump needs to give more back now as well. but I think it is clear the US and EU are both FAR better off together than apart.

 

[SouthAussie]

But Trump did back off the tariff threat. And I don't think Germany or France and certainly most of the rest of the EU wants to do the ACI, it is economic disaster for Europe. Merz is acknowledging that they need to work this out. Trump needs to give more back now as well. but I think it is clear the US and EU are both FAR better off together than apart.

Exactly. Backing off the tariff threat AND signaling that he won't take Greenland by force.


Under a 1951 agreement with Denmark, the US can send as many troops as it wants to Greenland. It already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in the north-western tip of the territory.

So discussions to reach a deal may centre on a renegotiation of that agreement, according to US officials.

What we know about Trump's 'framework of a future deal' over Greenland

Denmark and Greenland have made it clear they will not relinquish sovereignty of the world's largest island.

www.bbc.com

 

[otto]

German chancellor Merz seems to be siding with Trump and the US now. There is clearly something else going on her behind the scenes.

Not according to the New York Times.

"Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, urged European leaders on Thursday to strengthen their militaries and shed bureaucracy to survive in an international order whose “very foundations have been shaken” by Russia, China and the United States.

Echoing Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, Mr. Merz ... called on them to recommit to strong national defense ... to thrive in a more protectionist and isolationist world.

“This new world of great powers is being built on power, on strength, and when it comes to it, on force. It’s not a cozy place,” Mr. Merz said. “We do not have to accept this new reality as fate. We are not at the mercy of this new world order. ... To succeed, we must face harsh realities and chart our course with clear-eyed realism.”
...

The chancellor also implicitly chided President Trump for his demeaning treatment of European allies, in which he assailed European society and threatened economic warfare if Europe did not bend to his will. “Democracies do not have subordinates,” Mr. Merz said. “They have allies, partners and trusted friends.”
...

“We must never forget one thing,” he said. “The world where only power counts is a dangerous place, first for small states, then for the middle powers, and ultimately, for the great ones.”

Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, Urges Europe to Spend Big on Defense

Speaking in Davos, Chancellor Friedrich Merz also implicitly criticized President Trump’s demeaning treatment of European allies.

www.nytimes.com

 

[PrairieWind]

Not according to the New York Times.

"Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, urged European leaders on Thursday to strengthen their militaries and shed bureaucracy to survive in an international order whose “very foundations have been shaken” by Russia, China and the United States.

Echoing Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, Mr. Merz ... called on them to recommit to strong national defense ... to thrive in a more protectionist and isolationist world.

“This new world of great powers is being built on power, on strength, and when it comes to it, on force. It’s not a cozy place,” Mr. Merz said. “We do not have to accept this new reality as fate. We are not at the mercy of this new world order. ... To succeed, we must face harsh realities and chart our course with clear-eyed realism.”
...

The chancellor also implicitly chided President Trump for his demeaning treatment of European allies, in which he assailed European society and threatened economic warfare if Europe did not bend to his will. “Democracies do not have subordinates,” Mr. Merz said. “They have allies, partners and trusted friends.”
...

“We must never forget one thing,” he said. “The world where only power counts is a dangerous place, first for small states, then for the middle powers, and ultimately, for the great ones.”

Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, Urges Europe to Spend Big on Defense

Speaking in Davos, Chancellor Friedrich Merz also implicitly criticized President Trump’s demeaning treatment of European allies.

www.nytimes.com

"
Despite all the frustration and anger of recent months, let us not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership," Merz said in a sweeping speech covering global security and European competitiveness.
"We Europeans, we Germans, know how precious the trust is on which NATO rests. In an age of great powers, the United States, too, will depend on this trust. It is their — and our — decisive competitive advantage."
Europe and the United States must repair the trust on which the transatlantic alliance was built, he said."

Germany's Merz: Europe must not rush to write off transatlantic ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed on Thursday U.S. President Donald Trump's shift in rhetoric on Greenland and urged Europeans not to be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership.

www.reuters.com

Why are you so eager to drive a wedge?

 

[branmuffin]

I found this very interesting website from Denmark called Verfassung which means constitution in English. This particular topic is about The End of NATO as we Know It

The End of NATO As We Know It

verfassungsblog.de

 

[Inthedetails]

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115940231479630134

 

[otto]

"
Despite all the frustration and anger of recent months, let us not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership," Merz said in a sweeping speech covering global security and European competitiveness.
"We Europeans, we Germans, know how precious the trust is on which NATO rests. In an age of great powers, the United States, too, will depend on this trust. It is their — and our — decisive competitive advantage."
Europe and the United States must repair the trust on which the transatlantic alliance was built, he said."

Germany's Merz: Europe must not rush to write off transatlantic ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed on Thursday U.S. President Donald Trump's shift in rhetoric on Greenland and urged Europeans not to be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership.

www.reuters.com

Why are you so eager to drive a wedge?

No one is ready to cancel a trade relationship, there is a warning that the direction that the US is taking against EU will have consequences.

Merz makes clear that trust is gone, and that the EU and the US "must repair the trust on which the transatlantic alliance was built." Trust between Canada and the US is broken. Trust between Greenland/ the Kingdom of Denmark and the US is broken. Trust between the US and the EU is broken. That's the reality today.

"Against that backdrop, the chancellor appealed for European unity and commended an apparent deal struck on Wednesday between President Trump and Mark Rutte, the secretary general of NATO, to strengthen Arctic security — a move that appeared to defuse Mr. Trump’s efforts to gain ownership of Greenland for the United States. Mr. Merz said Europe would not have tolerated an effort to seize the Danish territory by force and that it would have responded to tariffs meant to pressure Denmark into a sale, which Mr. Trump threatened days ago.

Mr. Merz also seemed to direct a message to Mr. Trump — with whom he has built a friendship — about the value of allies even for the most powerful countries.

“We must never forget one thing,” he said. “The world where only power counts is a dangerous place, first for small states, then for the middle powers, and ultimately, for the great ones.”

Prince Harry in court looked like a pub prowler desperate for a fight

With unsettling stares and an inability to give a straight answer, His Royal Prickliness took to the witness box and spoke of Meghan’s ‘misery’

www.thetimes.com