European Leaders Boost Defense Amid Trump Greenland Threats

European leaders at the Munich Security Conference pledged to accelerate independent defense capabilities and reduce reliance on the United States after Donald Trump pushed to annex Greenland. In response to Washington's unpredictability, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to a stronger European pillar within NATO. Merz and Macron specifically explored the possibility of European nuclear deterrence, while other powers committed to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Denmark and the EU considered last-ditch measures to prevent a U.S. seizure of Greenland, including deploying 5,000 troops and using the EU's anti-coercion trade instruments. While the Trump administration eventually shifted its strategy toward an Okinawa model—seeking sovereign military and mineral access while maintaining Danish sovereignty—the U.S. continued to pressure allies with threats of 25 percent tariffs. NATO activated the Arctic Sentry mission on February 11, 2026, to harden defenses against Russia and restrict Chinese investment in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress attempted to repair trans-Atlantic relations in Munich, though Democratic lawmakers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the president's approach. Simultaneously, Trump established the Board of Peace, a global organization intended to bypass the United Nations, with an inaugural summit scheduled for February 19, 2026, in Washington. While Hungary and Argentina agreed to attend, Italy and Poland declined, citing constitutional and governance concerns over a $1 billion entry fee.