Trump Advocates for US Sovereignty Over Greenland at NATO Summit

WHO:

Alternet - U.S. President Donald Trump

Alternet - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

Alternet - NATO officials

NBC News Politics - President Trump

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump stated that the U.S. could remove "all of our soldiers out of Europe," claiming that the continent is "a very different place than it was 20 years ago."

Alternet - Trump previously called for the U.S. to annex Greenland, stating that the annexation would happen "whether they like it or not."

Alternet - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland and Europe would decide the island's future, not Trump.

Alternet - A top French official stated, "With the Greenland crisis, Europe realized once and for all that we need to be able to take care of our own security."

Alternet - Trump reiterated that he believes Greenland "should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark."

Alternet - Trump stated that the U.S. could remove "all of our soldiers out of Europe."

Alternet - Trump previously called for the U.S. to annex Greenland, a colony of Denmark.

Alternet - Trump admitted that his stance on Greenland "hurt my relationship with NATO."

Alternet - Trump suggested that the U.S. would acquire Greenland either "the easy way or the hard way."

WHERE:

Alternet - NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey

Alternet - Greenland, a colony of Denmark

Alternet - Europe

WHEN:

Alternet - The NATO Summit is taking place in 2026.

Alternet - Trump carried out airstrikes against Iran in late February.

WHY:

Alternet - Trump's desire for Greenland is a sore spot for other NATO members, particularly Denmark.

Alternet - Other NATO countries are troubled by Trump's threats against Greenland and his handling of the U.S. war against Iran.

HOW:

Alternet - Denmark was reportedly making preparations to protect Greenland militarily.

Alternet - NATO officials warned that a U.S. attempt to take Greenland by force would end the 77-year-old alliance.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 17:45 UTC)

Trump has suggested that the U.S. could withdraw all of its soldiers from Europe, arguing that the continent has changed significantly over the past two decades. In response to his previous comments about annexing Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made it clear that the future of the island will be decided by Greenland and Europe, not by Trump. Meanwhile, a top French official noted that the situation surrounding Greenland has highlighted the need for Europe to take charge of its own security, as Denmark reportedly prepares to bolster military protections for the island.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 15:56 UTC)

At the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, President Trump reiterated his belief that Greenland should be controlled by the United States rather than Denmark, a stance that has strained his relationship with NATO allies. He suggested that the U.S. could acquire Greenland "the easy way or the hard way," while also threatening to remove all American soldiers from Europe, which has raised concerns among other NATO members, particularly Denmark. In response to Trump's remarks, NATO officials warned that any attempt to take Greenland by force could jeopardize the 77-year-old alliance.