The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is actively discussing a 'range of options' to acquire Greenland, explicitly stating that the use of the US military remains a possibility. This declaration comes after a unified pushback from European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who have insisted the US must abandon its threats against the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
European Allies Rally Behind Denmark
In a significant show of solidarity, Sir Keir Starmer joined the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark in issuing a joint statement on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. They stressed that the United States, as a NATO ally, is an 'essential partner' in Arctic security, but firmly declared that 'Greenland belongs to its people'. The leaders asserted that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning the territory, upholding principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity under the UN Charter.
The statement emphasised that security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively within NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen went further, warning that any attempt to seize Greenland by force would signal the end of the NATO military alliance itself.
White House Unmoved by International Condemnation
Despite the coordinated European response, the Trump administration appeared undeterred. A White House statement reiterated that acquiring Greenland is a 'national security priority of the United States'. It clarified that the president and his team are evaluating various methods to achieve this foreign policy goal, noting that 'utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal'.
This hardline stance was echoed by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. In a CNN interview, he questioned the legitimacy of Denmark's claim over Greenland and suggested a military operation was a feasible prospect because 'nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland'.
Political Reactions and Social Media Provocation
The controversy has sparked sharp political reactions in the UK. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, labelled the White House statement as 'unhinged', accusing Trump of trashing a 75-year-old NATO alliance to serve his own ego. He urged Sir Keir Starmer to develop a 'plan B' to stand up for Britain and its allies.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters have amplified the issue on social media. Katie Miller, a former political adviser and Stephen Miller's wife, posted a picture of Greenland coloured in the American flag with the caption 'soon', following a recent US raid on Venezuela.
When pressed, the Prime Minister's official spokesman declined to comment on whether the UK would militarily defend Greenland, avoiding 'hypotheticals'. He also denied that Sir Keir views President Trump as a threat to European security. Sir Keir has consistently stated that the UK 'stands with' Denmark and that Greenland's future is solely a matter for its people and the Danish government.
