Germany downplays risk of US invasion of Greenland after talks

Germany’s top diplomat on Monday downplayed the risk of a US military move against Greenland, despite President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to seize the island from NATO ally Denmark.

Speaking after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he had seen no signs that such an action was under serious consideration. “I have no indication that this is being seriously considered,” Wadephul told reporters.

Instead, he said there was a shared interest among allies in addressing emerging security challenges in the Arctic. “NATO is currently developing more concrete plans in this area, and these will be discussed jointly with our US partners,” he added.

Wadephul’s visit comes ahead of talks in Washington later this week between Rubio and the top diplomats of Denmark and Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Trump has recently renewed his rhetoric on Greenland, vowing that the United States would take the island “one way or the other,” saying it could be done “the nice way or the more difficult way.”

Greenland’s government on Monday reiterated that it would not accept a US takeover under “any circumstance.” Greenland and NATO also said they were working to strengthen the island’s defenses, a key concern cited by Trump.

The US president has repeatedly pointed to increased Arctic activity by Russia and China as justification for Washington taking control of Greenland, while also speaking more broadly about his desire to expand US territory.