On Sunday night, President Donald Trump asserted that the United States is more crucial to NATO than the alliance is to America, while simultaneously urging Greenland to consider a deal before it potentially falls under Russian control.

Despite warnings from international allies, Trump remained firm in his desire to acquire Greenland, indicating that he is unconcerned about how this ambition might affect relations with NATO. He emphasized his stance while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his return trip to Washington.

When queried about the potential impact of acquiring Greenland on NATO relations, Trump responded, “If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO. But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now.”

The President was further questioned about whether a formal proposal had been made to Greenland or Denmark. Trump clarified that no such offer had been extended yet, but he shared his concerns regarding the island’s security vulnerabilities.

“No, I haven’t done that,” Trump admitted, before elaborating on why Greenland should consider an agreement. “Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China takeover… Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds… In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers all over the place,” he remarked, painting a stark picture of the geopolitical risks facing the Arctic territory.

‘No I haven’t done that, but Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China takeover… Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds… In the meantime you have Russian destroyers all over the place,’ he said.

In a separate exchange with reporters on board, Trump made clear he sees US control of Greenland as inevitable.

‘If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will. And I’m not going to let that happen… One way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,’ he said.

Trump brushed off NATO backlash as he doubled down on his push to take control of Greenland. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that Russia or China would move in 

Despite global backlash and Greenland’s opposition, Trump declared U.S. control of the island inevitable

When a reporter followed up asking if it is ‘Okay if that compromises NATO?’, Trump acknowledged the blowback could be real, but suggested the alliance itself might be expendable.

‘Maybe NATO would be upset if I did it… we’d save a lot of money. I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I’m not sure they would,’ Trump said.

In reality, NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, treating an attack on one member as an attack on all, has been invoked only once, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, when allies joined Washington in Afghanistan. 

The remarks reignited a diplomatic crisis that has been simmering since Trump renewed his push to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark with enormous strategic value in the Arctic. 

Trump has said he wants control of the island because of its location, its mineral resources, and rising Russian and Chinese military activity in the region – and has not ruled out the use of force.

Trump has argued that striking a deal would be ‘easier,’ but has also warned that ‘if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.’ 

On Sunday night, he again insisted that US acquisition of Greenland is a national security necessity.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, is defended by Denmark, whose military is far smaller than that of the United States. 

The president mocked Greenland’s defenses, saying they amounted to ‘two dogsleds’

Asked whether a takeover could fracture NATO, Trump replied: ‘They need us much more than we need them’

Greenland has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009 but has not done so, largely because it relies on Danish financial support and public services

The US already operates a military base on the island. Danish officials have warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would threaten NATO itself.

Trump dismissed that argument, portraying himself as a defender rather than a threat to the alliance, citing his pressure on member states to increase defense spending.

Tensions between Washington and Copenhagen have intensified in recent days. 

Denmark’s ambassador to the US, Jesper Møller Sørensen, publicly pushed back after the newly tapped US envoy for Greenland suggested the United States had defended the island during World War II when Denmark could not. 

Sørensen responded that Denmark has consistently stood alongside the US, including after 9/11, and stressed that only Greenlanders should decide their future.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Sunday that her country faces a ‘decisive moment’ in its standoff with Washington.

‘There is a conflict over Greenland,’ Frederiksen said during a debate with other Danish political leaders, adding that the stakes extend far beyond the island itself.

In a Facebook post, Frederiksen said Denmark is prepared to defend its principles.

‘We are ready to defend our values – wherever it is necessary – also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples’ right to self-determination,’ she wrote.

Donald Trump Jr. visited the territory last January, prior to the start of his father’s second term 

Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last March, specifically the US military’s Pituffik Space Base 

European allies have begun to line up behind Denmark. Germany and Sweden both voiced support for Copenhagen, condemning what Sweden’s prime minister called ‘threatening rhetoric.’

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said a U.S. takeover of Greenland would violate international law and risk encouraging other nations to do the same. 

‘Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European countries stand together with our Danish friends,’ he said at a defense conference attended by NATO’s top US commander.

Germany reiterated that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people and Denmark, even as it acknowledged growing security concerns in the Arctic. 

German officials said they are ready to assume greater responsibilities within NATO as the region’s strategic importance grows.

Polls indicate that Greenland’s population overwhelmingly opposes a US takeover, even as the island continues to debate its long-term relationship with Denmark.