NEW YORK, January 10. /TASS/. Statements by US President Donald Trump and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller about Washington's claims to Greenland shocked Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European leaders, The New York Times wrote, citing sources.
Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States. Even during his first term, he proposed purchasing Greenland, and in March 2025, he expressed confidence that it could be annexed. Miller earlier this week questioned Denmark's right to control the island, adding that it should become part of the US.
The Danish premier had long taken Trump's threats seriously and tried to gently persuade the American leader to abandon the idea, The New York Times said. Miller's harsh statements stunned her and sent Frederiksen's European colleagues into a state of near panic, according to the publication.
European leaders are trying to agree on a possible response to Trump's statements and hope to find a way to avoid confrontation with Washington, the NYT said. Agreeing to strengthen NATO’s forces to more effectively counter the influence of China and Russia and even granting Trump access to Greenland’s mineral deposits are among the steps they are considering, the paper added.
Greenland is part of Denmark as an autonomous territory. Since 1979, it has had the legal right to declare independence by referendum. The United States and Denmark are founding members of NATO. In 1951, Washington and Copenhagen signed the Greenland Defense Treaty. In accordance with this agreement, the US committed to defend the island from external aggression.