French President Emmanuel Macron has called for NATO to conduct a military exercise in Greenland, with France ready to contribute troops, in direct response to US President Donald Trump's aggressive push to acquire the Danish autonomous territory and related tariff warnings.
The announcement from Macron's office came on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, just ahead of Trump's delayed arrival at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland—pushed back by about three hours due to a minor electrical issue on Air Force One. The proposal aims to assert European resolve and reinforce alliance presence in the Arctic amid fears of Russian and Chinese influence exploiting newly accessible sea routes due to climate change.
Macron described Trump's rhetoric as increasingly "bellicose," framing the NATO drill as a necessary show of unity and deterrence without directly confronting US participation. It remains unclear whether American forces would be involved, but the move signals growing transatlantic friction over sovereignty, security priorities, and economic leverage.
Trump has doubled down on his demands, insisting Greenland must come under US control for national security reasons, warning that failure to comply could lead to "the hard way." He has tied the issue to potential tariffs on European nations opposing the plan, escalating threats that include 10% duties starting February 1, rising to 25% by June 1 on imports from countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland unless a deal is reached.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the crisis indirectly, emphasizing behind-the-scenes diplomacy while stressing that Ukraine must remain the alliance's top priority. "The focus on Ukraine should be number one... I am really worried that we lose sight," Rutte said, adding that NATO is actively working to defend the Arctic collectively against external threats. He credited Trump's pressure for pushing European allies toward higher defense spending but warned against distractions from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
European reactions have been unified in rejection:
- Danish veterans who served alongside US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq expressed deep betrayal, with one stating it could mark "the final moments of the NATO alliance."
- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declared Europe "will not accept being blackmailed" and highlighted strengthened Arctic cooperation within NATO.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed an "unflinching, united and proportional" response to any tariff escalation, including potential countermeasures worth billions.
The standoff has sparked protests in Greenland, with locals mocking Trump's style through "Make America Go Away" messaging, and raised broader questions about NATO cohesion, Arctic militarization, and the future of transatlantic relations. Trump, when pressed on how far he would go, replied ambiguously: "You'll find out," while expressing optimism that "something is going to work out."
As Davos discussions unfold amid these tensions, the French initiative underscores Europe's determination to protect sovereignty and alliance integrity without yielding to unilateral demands.
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