1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 18, 2026, 23:28 IST
NATO chief Mark Rutte discussed Greenland and Arctic security with US President Donald Trump, as Germany withdrew its reconnaissance team and 15 soldiers from Greenland.
NATO chief Mark Rutte with US President Donald Trump. (Reuters)
NATO chief Mark Rutte on Sunday said he has held talks with US President Donald Trump over the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic.
In a post on X, Rutte said: “Spoke with POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week."
According to BBC, Trump will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later this week – as will the leaders of France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
On Friday, Trump said he may slap trade tariffs on countries that don’t support his plans to take over Greenland, part of the territory of NATO ally Denmark.
“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," Trump said at a health roundtable at the White House. “I may do that."
Trump compared the possible Greenland tariffs to those that he threatened on France and Germany last year over the price of pharmaceutical products.
The threat is the latest pressure tactic by Republican Trump as he steps up his bid to acquire the autonomous Arctic island, a goal that he has threatened to achieve by military means if necessary.
Trump claims the United States needs mineral-rich Greenland and has accused Denmark of not doing enough to ensure its security against US rivals Russia and China.
European nations who are members of NATO have in recent days shown their support for Denmark and Greenland over Trump’s escalating threats, including by sending troops to the strategic territory.
Germany On Greenland
According to DW, the German military has pulled its reconnaissance team out of Greenland.
It further said that 15 soldiers were leaving the Arctic island on a civilian flight to Copenhagen on Sunday midday (local time).
The team was meant to assess conditions for possible NATO exercises, with the spokesman of the command control center having said Sunday that the mission was completed, DW reported. “The results of the reconnaissance will be analyzed in the coming days."
Denmark On Trump’s Tariff Threat
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Sunday warned that the NATO alliance is at risk from US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat on NATO allies backing Denmark against his goal to seize control of Greenland.
AFP quoted him saying that the global geopolitical order “as we know it" and NATO’s “future" were at stake.
“I have no doubt there is strong European support" for Denmark in the row, he told a news conference during a visit to Norway, adding that Europe was stronger “when we collectively show muscle".
Location :
Brussels, Belgium
First Published:
January 18, 2026, 23:05 IST
News world NATO Chief Rutte Speaks With Trump On Greenland, Arctic As Denmark Warns Alliance At Stake
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
