Donald Trump has revived his push for the United States to acquire Greenland, threatening to withdraw all American troops from Europe as he arrived for a Nato summit in Ankara. The US president also criticised European allies over immigration and energy policies, suggesting their stances could undermine the continent's future.
Trump expressed disappointment with Nato's lack of support for US actions in Iran, saying the alliance had failed to stand by Washington. He specifically referenced former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision not to join the war against Iran, claiming it contributed to his political downfall, despite the stance being popular with the British public.
Renewing a previous dispute, Trump argued that Denmark does not invest enough in Greenland, which he described as strategically vital due to Chinese and Russian naval activity. He stated that the island should be under US control and that the disagreement had strained his relationship with Nato. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves responded firmly, stating that Greenland's future is a matter for its people and Denmark, not the US president.
Trump also repeated his criticism that Nato members, including the UK, are not meeting defence spending targets, warning that the US could withdraw its forces from Europe if allies fail to address immigration and energy challenges. In response, the UK is leading a £37bn European project to develop a long-range precision missile, aiming to reduce reliance on the US for defence capabilities.
To fund increased defence spending, Reeves indicated willingness to explore off-balance sheet financing, potentially merging with Canada's Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, which could provide £86bn in lending for a £900m UK subscription.
