Trump shrugs off EU push back as Denmark sends troops to Greenland
Danish soldiers walk on frozen asphalt after arriving at Nuuk airport in Greenland on January 19, 2026. Danish Defense will continue its increased presence with exercise activities in and around Greenland in 2026 with a number of NATO allies.
Crazy Claus Rasmussen | Afp | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has ruled out resisting “too much” pressure from the European Union to annex Greenland, shortly after Denmark sent additional troops to the Arctic island.
Speaking ahead of his visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum, Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Denmark’s self-governing territory. The issue has increased trans-Atlantic tensions and shaken the NATO military alliance.
“I don’t think they’re going to back down too much,” Trump told reporters in Florida on Monday evening, referring to the EU’s opposition on Greenland. he said. “Look, we have to have this,” he added.
The US president, who has long wanted to make Greenland part of the United States, reiterated his interest in the sparsely populated region following the daring military intervention in Venezuela on January 3.
Trump has repeatedly said gaining control of Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and has frequently voiced concerns about Russia and China’s Arctic influence.
The comments sparked alarm across Europe and led to demonstrations in Copenhagen and Greenland’s capital Nuuk over the weekend.
Trump sought to up the ante even further on Saturday by announcing that he would increase tariffs on eight European countries if they oppose his offer to buy Greenland.
Trump said that as of February 1, an extra tax of 10 percent will be applied to England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, and it will increase to 25 percent as of June 1.
European political leaders called the tariffs “unacceptable” and vowed to support Denmark, which is responsible for the island’s foreign, defense and security policies.
The EU is also reportedly considering retaliatory measures against the Trump administration’s new import tariffs, including so-called trade “bazookas” and broader economic countermeasures.
‘Arctic Endurance’ exercise
It was stated that Denmark is trying to strengthen its military presence in Greenland. local media reports.
A “significant contribution” of Danish combat troops is expected to arrive in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland on Monday evening, Danish broadcaster TV2 reported. Kangerlussuaq, in western Greenland, is home to the island’s main international transportation hub.
Major General Søren Andersen, Denmark’s top military commander in the Arctic, reportedly said that 100 Danish troops had already arrived in Nuuk and a similar number had arrived in Kangerlussuaq. The soldiers are expected to participate in the military exercise called “Arctic Endurance”.
Danish soldiers exit a plane at Nuuk airport in Greenland on January 19, 2026.
Crazy Claus Rasmussen | Afp | Getty Images
The operation aims to counter potential Russian activities. Reuters reported It came not in response to the Trump administration but less than a week after several NATO allies sent a small number of troops to Greenland for a separate joint military exercise.
A WEF spokesman confirmed that Danish government representatives are not expected to attend the World Economic Forum this week due to the intensification of the dispute over Greenland.
opinion polls shown While Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose US control, a strong majority supports independence from Denmark.
