Meet the Press Meet the Press NOW — January 19
Jan 19, 2026
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, provides insights on U.S.-Europe relations and NATO's concerns amid President Trump's escalating threats regarding Greenland. Rufus Gifford, Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, shares the Danish public's reaction and public anger over the situation, emphasizing the potential risks to alliance trust. The discussion also touches on the implications of tariffs and military maneuvers by the Pentagon as tensions rise domestically and internationally.
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Greenland Escalation Strains Alliances
- President Trump escalated threats to take over Greenland using tariffs and hinted at force without ruling out options.
- European nations and Greenlanders reacted with strong opposition, hardening diplomatic tensions.
Maximalist Play Could Be Negotiation
- Garrett Haake suggests Trump's maximalist stance may be a negotiating tactic to lower price or gain leverage.
- NBC reporting estimated a potential Greenland price tag as high as $700 billion, making purchase impractical.
Diplomatic Costs Outweigh Strategic Gains
- Andrea Mitchell warns the president's threats risk damaging NATO and European trust built over decades.
- She notes practical off-ramps exist, like expanding U.S. bases and troop presence without buying Greenland.