The conflict between the United States and Denmark regarding the status of Greenland has reached a new level of escalation. US President Donald Trump threatened Denmark as well as the European Union with broad import tariffs if no agreement is reached on a stronger US presence or the purchase of the island. Trump emphasized that Greenland's strategic location is crucially important for the national security of the USA.
These diplomatic tensions are already having an immediate effect on military operations. According to reports, French military aircrews prematurely ended an exercise over Greenland, which observers interpret as a reaction to growing pressure from Washington. The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) are also affected: 15 German soldiers stationed there as part of international cooperation are caught in the middle of the political front lines. Continuing activities there seems uncertain under the current circumstances.
In parallel, the tone towards the EU is hardening. Trump criticized European trade policy and directly linked future trade agreements to the willingness to cooperate on the Greenland issue. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern about the development and called for prudence, while simultaneously underlining the necessity of a united European response. Furthermore, the US aviation authority FAA issued warnings for civilian airlines affecting certain routes, which further strengthens the general climate of uncertainty in international travel.
