Denmark, and NATO, are still reacting to President Trump’s declaration that the U.S. will “own” Greenland in the future – whether through buying the island or gaining control by military action. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, President Trump addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference in Davos, Switzerland and walked back his comments of taking Greenland by military force.
Change of Tone. During a speech lasting more than an hour Trump indicated that he would not exercise a military option for Greenland. In his speech he said:
“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”
Shortly after his speech he announced that he has ‘reached a deal on Greenland‘. Trump said:
“Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st. Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland.”
But . . . What If?
Military Attack on Greenland? Throughout most of January 2026 President Trump and members of his administration had not ruled out using military force to “take” Greenland (map NSI) if Denmark refuses to sell the strategic island. (SOF News, Jan 14, 2026) The actual taking of Greenland by the U.S. military is not a difficult task from an operational standpoint. The 11th Airborne Division – the Arctic Angels – are trained in Arctic warfare. (SOF News, May 8, 2022) Two of the division’s brigades are based in Alaska – one of them an airborne unit. The 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York is acclimated to winter operations as well. The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Colorado has Europe as its area of responsibility and participates in winter operations and Arctic training (map NSI) on a regular basis with NATO allies in Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. And, of course, there is the 75th Ranger Regiment and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). What is difficult to grasp is the notion that the U.S. would actually attack a NATO ally.
Denmark – a Solid Ally. From 2002 to 2021, Denmark fought alongside the United States in Afghanistan. (Afghan War News) Most NATO countries, including Denmark, honored the activation of Article 5 of the NATO alliance after the September 11, 2001, attack by terrorists against the United States. Read more in “Danes Feel Betrayed and Bewildered by Trump Amid Greenland Threats”, The New York Times, January 18, 2026. (subscription)
Danish Troop Buildup in Greenland. Denmark plans to send over 1,000 troops to Greenland in the coming months for a months-long stay. This is planned as a rotational assignment. Denmark maintains a battalion in Latvia as part of NATO’s forward defensive line in eastern Europe; it is unknown if Denmark will continue with the Latvian commitment. At this time there are about 150 Danish troops in Kangerlussuaq and another 150 Danish troops in Nuuk. France sent 30 Mountain Infantrymen from the Chasseurs Alpins to participate in an exercise as well. Plans are for Denmark to have a rotating force of 1,000 solders through 2026. Personnel from Denmark’s 1st Brigade and Jaegerkorpset (Special Forces) are part of this recent Danish deployment to Greenland.
Tariffs Threatened by Trump Now Sidelined. The President has said that unless an agreement takes place soon on Greenland, then the U.S. will impose 10% tariffs on those European nations that sent military personnel to Greenland in the past week. The tariffs would rise in June to 25% if the U.S. does not own Greenland. As of Wednesday, the tariffs are suspended contingent on a ‘deal’ being agreed upon.
What’s in the “Deal”? Further negotiations are going to take place. They will likely involve the ‘revising’ of the 1951 Denmark agreement with the U.S. that gave the United States unlimited access to Greenland to establish military installations and base troops. At one time during the Cold War, the U.S. had over 15,000 military personnel in Greenland on 17 military installations. In June 2025, the Folketing (Danish parliament) approved a defense agreement with the U.S. that extended U.S. access to military facilities in Denmark.
Is a New “Deal” Needed? Under the existing 1951 U.S.-Denmark agreement (as amended in 2004), the United States can expand its military presence in Greenland beyond the current Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base map). The expansion is permitted if justified as part of defense cooperation within NATO and with Danish consent. The current treaty gives legal space for expansion with approval from Denmark and in consultation with Greenlandic authorities. It is unclear on what the recent agreement in Davos, Switzerland will provide beyond what is already agreed upon.
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Map: Derived from CIA map.
