As if the world doesn’t have enough problems already, the rising tension between the United States and their recent bid to occupy Greenland, the autonomous Arctic territory ruled by Denmark, is only escalating. But could it reach a level of war, or possibly a World War 3, as some reports are claiming?
The threat of the US over Greenland has become a rising concern in light of the attack carried out by US forces in Venezuela that led to the capture of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
US President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire to take over Greenland for quite a while now, but it seems that the nation could want to make those desires into a reality after what they were able to do in the South American country.
Denmark has hit back, not taking it lightly and made it clear that any aggression by the US toward Greenland or attempts to occupy it will not be taken lightly.
What Is Happening With Trump And Greenland?
The desire of the United States to acquire the island of Greenland is not new. Greenland, for those unaware, is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Considered to be the world’s largest island, it sits between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, and is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with a population of 56,583 as per 2022 records.
The island covers 2.16 million square kilometres of land that is extremely rich in natural resources include gas, oil, and rare earth minerals.
Furthermore, its strategic position and the potential of shipping routes around it make it a very valuable region.
Last month, Trump spoke to the media and simply said, “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.” However, according to a CNN report, Trump’s former national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News in January 2024 that their attention on Greenland was “about critical minerals” and “natural resources.”
Recently, a day after the US captured Maduro from his home, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” and how “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
On January 6, 2026, the White House stated it is “discussing a range of options” to take over Greenland, adding subtly that the US military could potentially be used if needed.
As per an NDTV report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”
Reports have also come out about how the Trump administration is planning to make a direct cash payment offer of a sum between $10,000 and $100,000 per person to residents of Greenland as an incentive to join the US and break away from Denmark.
Currently, no official statement has been made related to this; however, some sources told Reuters that internal talks about this have taken place.
Read More: Do Humans Secretly Wish For The World To End And World War 3 To Happen?
How Has Denmark Reacted?
Denmark, for its part, has come out strongly against all those desires, firmly stating that Greenland does not want to be a part of the US and will remain part of Denmark.
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, on Monday released a statement saying she has “made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and that Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States.”
Frederiksen further said that, “if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of World War II.”
Several other European leaders also came out in support of Greenland and Denmark, calling for the need for Arctic security.
In a joint statement, leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark said, “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland… NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up.”
The country’s defence ministry, speaking to Danish newspaper Berlingske, also brought up a rule introduced in 1952, during the Cold War, that allowed soldiers to respond immediately to any foreign invasion without needing to wait for official orders.
The rule states that in case of an invasion, troops must act “without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders in question are not aware of the declaration of war or state of war.”
Denmark Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Defence Committee Rasmus Jarlov in an exclusive interview with NDTV, said, “We also want to make clear that it’s not acceptable to attack us militarily, and it would lead to the absurd situation and disastrous situation of a war between two NATO countries, which would be completely devastating and very, very stupid and unnecessary.”
He added, “There’s absolutely no need for this, and we hope we can get it back on track and that it doesn’t escalate.”
Could It Lead To A Third World War?
While the idea of a World War 3 might seem extreme, analysts warn that this standoff highlights broader strains in global security architecture that could escalate if mishandled.
Experts on international alliances caution that military conflict between NATO members, or even the credible threat of it, undermines decades of collective security. As one NDTV interviewee put it, an armed U.S. attack on Greenland could plunge NATO “into a devastating war,” fundamentally altering global balance.
According to an NDTV report, Frederiksen also stated, “Certainly a military attack would be the end of NATO, because then Denmark would have to invoke the Article 5 of NATO, which is the oath that countries have to come and protect us. Then the Americans and all other countries would be obliged to come and help Denmark protect Denmark against the United States. Of course, the Americans would veto that, and then NATO would be dead.”
Some reports believe that if Trump keeps up with his attempts to acquire Greenland, while using perceived rivals like Russia and China, national security or even the desire for natural resources, while going against firm statements made by Denmark and Greenland authorities, then it could inadvertently trigger unintended confrontations.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Politics and Rights Review, Psychology Today, Quora
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