Donald Trump 'could seize Greenland within hours' as tensions with Europe rise

An expert has warned that President Donald Trump could potentially seize Greenland from Denmark within hours, raising fresh concerns over escalating tensions between the United States and Europe.

Following the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Trump has once again expressed interest in bringing Greenland under U.S. control, citing national security reasons. However, Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark, a key NATO ally, which complicates any potential action. Despite this, officials have cautioned that the U.S. military could theoretically be used to take control of the territory.

A White House statement on Tuesday emphasized that the president and his team are exploring “a range of options” to achieve this goal, noting that military action remains within the Commander-in-Chief’s authority.

Experts say that any attempt to seize Greenland would likely trigger a serious geopolitical crisis between two NATO members. According to one analysis, while the U.S. could potentially secure key sites in Greenland within hours, the broader political consequences would be far more unpredictable.

The warning comes amid a noticeable buildup of U.S. military aircraft in Europe. Dozens of strategic transport and gunship planes have been deployed to bases in the U.K. and Germany, with some speculation that these movements could be linked to Greenland, though officials have not confirmed any concrete plans. Observers note that the deployment could be both strategic and symbolic, signaling U.S. intentions while also serving as a show of force.

European nations, including the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Denmark, and Spain, have publicly backed Denmark in response to Trump’s remarks. Their joint statement reinforced that Greenland’s future should be determined by its own people and Denmark, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law and territorial sovereignty.

Greenland’s Prime Minister welcomed the support, describing it as a “respectful dialogue” and stressing that any discussions about the territory must honor its legal status and the principle of territorial integrity.