European allies deepen military footprint in Greenland after Trump’s threat to assert U.S. control

European NATO allies have expanded their military presence in Greenland this month, deploying small contingents of troops to the Arctic territory amid sharply rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. In coordinated action, the United Kingdom has sent one military officer, Norway has dispatched two soldiers and France has placed around 15 troops in the region, all participating in Denmark-led Operation Arctic Endurance. The deployments are officially framed as part of joint military exercises but carry significant diplomatic weight amid Trump’s repeated assertions about Greenland’s strategic importance.

Trump has publicly floated the idea of bringing Greenland under U.S. control and has not ruled out using force, statements that have alarmed NATO partners and Greenland’s Danish government. In response to European troop deployments, the U.S. president announced plans to impose a 10 per cent tariff on imports from several allied countries that have stationed forces on the island, rising to 25 per cent if no agreement on Greenland is reached, intensifying the political standoff.

Danish officials say the European deployments are part of long-planned Arctic security exercises focused on coalition readiness and northern defence. French troops, drawn from mountain infantry units, are operating alongside Danish forces, while the UK and Norway’s small contingents are part of initial reconnaissance and coordination efforts. Denmark’s Arctic Command emphasises that the operations are designed to bolster collective defence capability in the region, which is increasingly viewed as key to NATO’s broader strategic interests.

Despite reassurances, Trump’s rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from European capitals. Leaders in Paris and London have rejected the notion that Greenland could be subject to U.S. acquisition, reiterating that any future of the territory should be decided by its people and the Danish government. Macron has also called for stronger NATO exercises in Greenland to underline the alliance’s shared commitment to Arctic security.