Daily Politics from the New Statesman Trump escalates Greenland threats
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Jan 19, 2026 
Rasmus Jarlov, Chair of the Danish Defence Committee, discusses Denmark's serious concerns regarding US threats over Greenland. He emphasizes the strategic significance of Greenland to NATO and outlines how a US takeover could fracture alliances. Jarlov highlights Denmark's historical ties with Greenland and warns that any unilateral US action would be met with military resistance. The conversation also touches on US motives for influence in Greenland, raising questions about security versus resource interests.
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Greenland Threat Risks NATO Collapse
- Greenland is sovereign European NATO territory and any US attempt to annex it would risk breaking NATO.
- Tom McTague warns that US aggression against a NATO ally could destroy the postwar European defence order.
Double Pressure On European Security
- Trump's behaviour shows both withdrawal from NATO commitments and active territorial belligerence are possible.
- McTague says Europe now faces pressure from both US unpredictability and Russia's eastern aggression.
Use Collective Economic Leverage
- Europeans could coordinate joint economic retaliation, leveraging the EU's market power to impose costs on the US.
- McTague advises considering coordinated measures like trade responses or restricting US bases, but warns of economic pain.