Trump’s Greenland gamble sparks NATO fury as Reeves warns Arctic territory is not his to take

Rachel Reeves has issued a blunt warning to Donald Trump over Greenland, insisting the Arctic territory’s future belongs to its people and Denmark — not the US President.

The Chancellor’s intervention comes after Trump revived his claim that Greenland “should be controlled by the United States”, arguing the island is vital to American security as Russia and China expand their Arctic presence.

“Greenland doesn’t help Denmark,” Trump said, claiming Copenhagen has failed to invest enough in the territory.

Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States, and it’s surrounded by China’s ships and Russian ships.

But Reeves rejected the argument, saying: “The future of Greenland is up to the people of Greenland and of Denmark, and not up to the US President.”

However, Reeves rejected the argument; she told reporters: “The future of Greenland is up to the people of Greenland and of Denmark, and not up to the US President. I’ve been very clear about that ever since it was first suggested.

The dispute highlights the growing strategic importance of Greenland, which sits between North America and Europe and has become a key location in the race for Arctic influence.

The melting Arctic ice cap is opening new shipping routes and increasing competition for resources, while Russia continues to expand its military presence in the region.

For Washington, Greenland is a security asset.

For Denmark and Greenland, it is a question of sovereignty.

The row comes as Western allies gather to discuss defence and security challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Trump previously sparked alarm among NATO partners when he refused to rule out using force to take control of Greenland, later admitting the comments had damaged relations.

The latest confrontation exposes a wider tension inside the alliance: how to balance American strategic priorities with the sovereignty of its European partners.

Greenland may be thousands of miles from Washington and London, but its future has become a test of the unity of the Western alliance.