US threats to seize Greenland drew a warning from France on Wednesday, after leader Donald Trump renewed claims that Washington should take control of the Arctic island for security reasons. President Emmanuel Macron warned that any move affecting Greenland’s sovereignty would bring “unprecedented” consequences.
“If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented,” Macron told a cabinet meeting, according to government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon.
“France is closely monitoring the situation and will act in full solidarity with Denmark and its sovereignty."
Macron’s comments came after US President Donald Trump said American control of Greenland was “vital” for a planned Golden Dome air and missile defence system.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has a population of about 57,000.
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Security claims and NATO
“The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security,” Trump wrote on social media. “It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building,” he said.
Trump argued that NATO would be “far more formidable and effective” if Greenland were under US control, adding that “anything less than that is unacceptable”. He warned that if Washington did not act, “Russia or China will”.
The US president has repeatedly justified his position by pointing to increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic as ice melts due to climate change, although neither country claims Greenland.
Trump also said NATO “should be leading the way” in building the defence system.
His remarks came as Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt were due to visit the White House for talks with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rasmussen said he hoped to “clear up certain misunderstandings”.
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Greenland rejects US control
Hours before the meeting, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the French news agency AFP that Denmark was boosting its military presence in Greenland and discussing “an increased NATO presence in the Arctic” with allies.
Greenland’s leaders have firmly opposed Trump’s ambitions.
“One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States,” Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said.
“Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States."
The US already has the right to station troops on Greenland under an agreement with Denmark, but Trump has pushed for full ownership.
“We’re talking about acquiring not leasing,” he told reporters on Sunday.
(with newswires)
