Europe scrambles to save Greenland as Trump pushes for win

EU leaders are racing to craft a compromise on Greenland that would allow US President Donald Trump to declare a political victory without shattering NATO or Europe’s postwar security order, POLITICO reports.

Faced with Trump’s renewed insistence that the United States “needs” Greenland — and his refusal to rule out using force — European governments are leaning toward conciliation rather than confrontation. Options under discussion include strengthening NATO’s role in Arctic security and offering the US economic incentives, such as access to Greenland’s critical minerals.

“In the end, we have always come to a common conclusion” with Washington, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the discussions as “encouraging.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed the sentiment, saying he hoped for “a mutually acceptable solution” within NATO.

Greenland’s and Denmark’s foreign ministers are scheduled to meet US Vice President JD Vance and Rubio at the White House, seeking what one EU diplomat described as “an honest conversation with the administration.”

According to diplomats, a potential endgame could involve giving Trump a win he can sell domestically — such as increased European investment in Arctic security or assurances that the US could profit from Greenland’s mineral wealth. “If you can smartly repackage Arctic security, blend in critical minerals, put a big bow on top, there’s a chance” Trump could sign on, one diplomat said, noting that “past experience” showed this approach had worked before.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has already signaled openness to bolstering Arctic security, saying alliance members were discussing next steps. Greater European defence spending in the Arctic could align with Trump’s long-standing demand that Europe shoulder more of its own security burden.

Mineral extraction is another possible bargaining chip, though Greenland’s current capacity is limited. The EU plans to more than double its investment in Greenland in its next long-term budget, potentially opening the door to co-investment with the US.

Still, officials stress that avoiding a military confrontation is paramount. “It would be an unprecedented situation in the history of NATO and any defence alliance,” German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was blunter: a US military intervention would mean “everything would stop.”

“This is serious – and Europe is scared,” one EU diplomat said, calling the moment “seismic.” Another summed up the dilemma: “The normal rulebook doesn’t work anymore.”

By Vafa Guliyeva