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Trump suggests U.S. may choose Greenland over NATO in pursuit of Arctic territory

09.01.2026 10:00
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States might have to choose between preserving NATO and acquiring Greenland, calling ownership of the Arctic island “psychologically needed for success,” in an interview published Thursday.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President JD Vance tours the U.S. militarys Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President JD Vance tours the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025. Jim Watson/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

In a two-hour discussion with The New York Times, Trump expressed renewed determination to annex Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory and key site for U.S. missile defense. He cited recent foreign policy successes, including the capture of Venezuela’s president, as bolstering his confidence.

“It may be a choice,” Trump said when asked whether acquiring Greenland would take priority over maintaining the trans-Atlantic alliance. His refusal to rule out military action has raised concerns among European leaders, some of whom warn a U.S. move against Denmark could collapse the NATO alliance.

“Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document,” Trump said, adding that Greenland's mineral wealth and strategic location made it essential to U.S. interests.

Trump also called on European NATO members to increase defense spending, saying, “I want them to shape up,” and taking credit for pushing allies to spend more on military readiness.

Despite questions over America’s commitment to defending Europe, Trump insisted he had been “very loyal,” claiming, “If it were not for me, Russia would have all of Ukraine right now.”

Addressing arms control, Trump appeared unconcerned about the looming expiration of the New START treaty with Russia, due to lapse in four weeks.

“If it expires, it expires,” he said, suggesting a better agreement could be negotiated — one that includes China’s rapidly growing nuclear arsenal.

(jh)

Source: PAP, Polish Radio