The US Could Attack a NATO Member. Trump Keeps Military Intervention Among the Options

By Sedat Laciner

The Greenland dispute between two NATO allies, Denmark and the US, is growing.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen rebuked American officials after Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to Greenland, saying that while they are open to criticism on all issues, the way the Americans criticize is unacceptable. Minister Rasmussen said, "Frankly, this is not how you talk to your close allies."

US Vice President D.J. Vance visited the island of Greenland with his wife and senior officials on Friday and criticized Denmark. Vance said, "Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job for the people of Greenland. You have failed to ensure the security of the country."

Vance's speech had a condescending and derogatory tone towards Denmark. Vance is already known for his condescending and even insulting speeches towards Europeans. Vance last called Europeans "pathetic" in the leaked part of the talks to prepare for the Yemen attack.

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US President Donald Trump has repeatedly talked about buying Greenland, using military means if necessary. Greenland is something of an obsession for Trump... The US delegation's visit, the latest one, is part of this effort.

Just before the American delegation left for Greenland, Trump said, "We need Greenland and we will go as far as we need to go" to get it. According to Trump, Greenland is an indispensable place with its strategic location in the Arctic, or the North Pole, and its mineral wealth.

However, the visit was shortened to just one day due to the reactions it received and was limited to a visit to a military base in Greenland. The majority of the Greenlandic people want independence rather than US rule and are disturbed by Trump's statements. The Greenlanders also do not want to remain dependent on Denmark. Because these people, who are thought to be of Central Asian origin, have no racial or ethnic connection to Denmark. In addition, there are many negative memories left on the island by Danish colonialism.

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Trump, however, is not giving up on the island.... Trump reiterated his desire to buy Greenland on Saturday, saying that nothing is out of the question in his desire to seize Greenland, including the use of military force. Speaking to NBC News, Trump said, "We will take Greenland. Yes, 100%." ​​

Trump said, "No, I would never take military force off the table. But I think there is a good chance we can do it without military force."

When the NBC reporter asked what kind of message "annexing Greenland would send to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the rest of the world," Trump's response was quite harsh and clear: "I don't really think about that. I don't really care." Trump is right about this, in foreign policy he generally acts without thinking about anyone, without caring about the world. He thinks that there is only the US in the world. He trusts the power of America in this regard, but he is wrong. No power in the world can intimidate the whole world, and if Trump continues to act like this, he will do the greatest harm to the US. Being powerful does not make states right, nor does it mean that they can easily plunder whatever they want. For this reason, former US presidents tried to add diplomacy and politics to their existing power, and placed great importance on international institutions and alliances.

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On the other side, Greenland's newly elected prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to Trump's comments by saying, "President Trump says the US will 'take Greenland'. Let me be clear: the US does not understand this. We do not belong to anyone. We determine our own future. We should not react with fear to these initiatives. We should react calmly, honorably and unitedly. And through these values, we should show the American president clearly, clearly and calmly that Greenland is ours."

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Greenland is the largest island in the world, 3.5 times the size of Türkiye. However, the island's population is only 58,000... With this population, the island cannot defend itself. The population of Denmark, to which the island is affiliated in foreign affairs, is less than 6 million. Compared to the US's population of 350 million, it is physically impossible for Denmark and Greenland to resist the US. Moreover, Greenland is 3,500 km away from Denmark, to which it is affiliated. America has a large military base in Greenland. There are currently hundreds of American soldiers stationed in Greenland, but at its peak, the number of Americans on the island was as high as 10,000. If America wanted to today, it could occupy the island in a few hours. However, this would have serious political and diplomatic consequences. I do not think Trump makes such assessments, which is why he is suppressing them. However, his attitude has caused shock in Denmark, which has been America's ally for decades, and throughout Europe, and has escalated anti-American sentiment.

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Another ally with which the US has deteriorated relations is Canada. After being elected president, Trump talked about making Canada the 52nd state of the US before he even took office and used the term “governor” for Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau… Initially thought to be a joke, the statement was later understood to be serious. Trump refers to Canada as a US state at every opportunity, and even White House Spokesperson Leavet calls Canada “ayelate.” The Canadian Prime Minister announced that Trump plans to economically sink Canada with customs duties and then seize Canada.

It seems that Trump, who follows a soft policy with traditional enemies such as Russia and China, sees no harm or inconvenience in crushing and harming his closest allies.

By Sedat Laçiner, Current New sand Essays
1 April 2025