Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing urgent calls from top British defence officials to adopt a significantly firmer stance against former US President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
"Thieving" Motives and a "Mealy-Mouthed" Response
The stark warning comes from former Conservative defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace and ex-deputy supreme allied commander of NATO, General Sir Richard Shirreff. Sir Ben Wallace accused Donald Trump of attempting to "thieve" Greenland's vast mineral assets, drawing a direct comparison with geopolitical actions in Venezuela. He publicly criticised Sir Keir Starmer's initial reaction as disappointingly "mealy-mouthed."
While the Labour Prime Minister has expressed public support for Denmark, which governs the autonomous territory, his response stopped short of the direct condemnation sought by the senior figures. This perceived hesitancy is particularly notable given that the White House has explicitly stated that military action remains an option for Trump regarding Greenland.
A Dire Warning for NATO's Future
The core of the argument from the defence experts centres on sovereignty and the integrity of the NATO alliance. Both Sir Ben and Sir Richard emphasised that Greenland is not only Danish territory but also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. They contend that any aggressive action by a NATO member against another would fundamentally undermine the alliance's founding principle of collective defence, potentially signalling its demise.
Sir Ben Wallace argued that Trump's motivations are not rooted in genuine security concerns for the United States. Instead, he framed the desire as a resource grab, suggesting the move is driven by Greenland's strategic mineral wealth rather than geopolitical strategy.
The Precedent of Sovereignty Under Threat
The intervention from such high-profile military voices highlights a profound anxiety within British defence circles. The fear is that Trump's approach could set a dangerous international precedent, where the territorial sovereignty of allied nations is openly questioned or targeted for economic gain by a powerful partner.
The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, detailed on Wednesday 07 January 2026, places him in a delicate diplomatic position. He must balance the UK's crucial "special relationship" with the United States against the imperative to uphold international law and stand firmly with European allies like Denmark. The former defence chiefs believe that robust, unambiguous leadership from London is now essential to deter a potential crisis.
