PARIS — The outgoing Secretary of State for the United States, Antony Blinken, has advised global leaders to avoid spending excessive time deliberating on remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding Greenland.
Trump reiterated his desire for the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark to fall under U.S. governance, even suggesting that military action could be considered to achieve that goal. He stated, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
However, Blinken expressed skepticism during a recent stop in Paris, indicating that Trump’s assertions are unlikely to translate into any actionable plans. “The notion about Greenland is clearly not a feasible one,” the senior U.S. official remarked. He emphasized, “Perhaps more importantly, it’s clearly a position that will not materialize, so we should not squander energy discussing it.”
The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, also downplayed the probability of U.S. military intervention against Denmark, a member of NATO. Nevertheless, Barrot cautioned that Europe should prepare for possible geopolitical instability as various global powers assert their influence. He posed the question, “Is it likely that the U.S. will invade Greenland? The response is, ‘No.’ Yet, do we foresee a phase characterized by a return to the dominance of the strongest? The response is, ‘Yes.’”
Barrot stressed the necessity for Europe to bolster its military capabilities and enhance its economic competitiveness in light of these challenges. He articulated that “we must pursue a more assertive stance to declare who we are and what we aspire to.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her belief that the U.S. would refrain from using either military or economic might to dominate Greenland, advocating for conduct that respects the rights and wishes of the Greenlandic people.
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to Trump’s comments—without directly naming him—by affirming the inviolability of national borders, stating, “Borders should never be altered through force.” He underscored the universal principle that applies to all nations, regardless of their power.
