In a stark escalation of the Arctic territorial dispute, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has urged the island’s population and local authorities to begin preparations for a "possible military invasion." Speaking at a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, (January 20), Nielsen stated that while a direct conflict remains unlikely, the recent warning and tariff threats from US President Donald Trump mean that Greenlandic authorities must now plan for "all scenarios," according to the Bloomberg report.
The Prime Minister’s warning follows a weekend of heightened tensions after Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff—increasing to 25% in June on eight NATO allies. The targeted nations, including Denmark, France, and the UK, have recently deployed military personnel to Greenland as part of "Operation Arctic Endurance," a joint exercise intended to signal European resolve over the territory's sovereignty.
"It is not likely there will be a military conflict, but it can’t be ruled out," Nielsen told reporters, according Bloomberg. He announced the formation of a government task force to coordinate with local municipalities on emergency readiness, including the issuance of new guidelines advising households to stockpile at least five days' worth of food and essential supplies.
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The Greenlandic government’s move coincides with a hardening stance in Copenhagen. The Danish Ministry of Defence recently reminded its forces of a Cold War-era directive—originally drafted in 1952—stipulating that Danish troops must "shoot first" and open fire without waiting for orders if the territory is invaded by a foreign power.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed parliament on Tuesday, describing the US as a "closest ally" that has now become a source of threat. "If a trade war is launched against us, then we must of course respond," she said, adding that any military attempt to take Greenland would signify the "end of NATO" and the post-war security architecture.
At the heart of the crisis is the US administration’s desire to "complete and total purchase" of Greenland, citing national security concerns over Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. The White House has previously claimed that Denmark is unable to properly secure the island, which is home to the critical Thule Air Base (Pituffik Space Base) and vast untapped mineral resources.
In response to the US tariff threat, which is set to begin on February 1, European leaders are preparing an emergency summit in Brussels. EU officials have denounced the move as "blackmail" and are weighing anti-coercion measures to protect the bloc’s economic interests.