Treasury Secretary says EU is too weak to protect Greenland

(MENAFN) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted that Washington must take control of Greenland because European nations are too weak to defend the strategic Arctic island in a potential future conflict. He suggested that European partners would eventually “come around” to the idea.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pursued American control over Greenland—an autonomous Danish territory with roughly 56,000 residents—arguing the island is vital for US defense against Russia and China. His push has created a major rift with European NATO allies, who insist Greenland’s status cannot change and have warned that US pressure undermines international law and the unity of the bloc.

In an interview with a news agency, Bessent framed Greenland as central to US defense in a forthcoming “battle for the Arctic,” emphasizing that Washington cannot “outsource our national security.”

“Down the road, this fight for the Arctic is real,” Bessent said. “If there were an attack on Greenland from Russia, from some other area, we would get dragged in. So better now, peace through strength, make it part of the United States.”

He added: “We are the strongest country in the world. Europeans project weakness. The US projects strength,” citing European inability to push back against Russia in Ukraine as evidence.

Bessent also claimed that European leaders would ultimately accept the US position and remain under Washington’s security umbrella. “What would happen in Ukraine if the US pulled its support out? The whole thing would collapse,” he said, calling the choice between Greenland and NATO a “false” one.

Tensions remain high as Trump threatens tariffs on eight European countries opposing his Greenland initiative, while the EU has affirmed support for Denmark and is considering retaliatory measures. Germany recently reduced its small troop presence on the island amid the standoff.

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