Trump Demands Greenland Control and Threatens NATO Troop Withdrawal

During a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, from July 7 to July 10, 2026, Donald Trump demanded that the United States acquire or control Greenland, citing the territory's strategic importance in countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. Trump argued that Denmark had failed to invest sufficiently in the region and suggested the U.S. should not have returned control of the island after World War II. He linked the acquisition to the U.S. military presence in Europe, threatening to withdraw all American soldiers from the continent if allies opposed his push or failed to meet defense spending targets of up to 5 percent of GDP.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Government of Greenland repeatedly rejected the proposal, asserting that Greenland is not for sale and emphasizing the right to self-determination. Other European leaders, including those from the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Iceland, expressed solidarity with Denmark. While NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attempted to mediate by referencing existing security frameworks, the dispute strained alliance cohesion.

The summit was further marked by U.S. military strikes against Iranian facilities following attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump used to criticize allies for their lack of support. Conversely, Trump strengthened ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announcing the lifting of sanctions on Turkey. Despite the internal discord, the summit concluded with a reaffirmation of collective defense and a license for Patriot defense systems for Ukraine.