The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has remained silent about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refusing to commit to not use military force to take control of Greenland, a territory that belongs to Denmark, a fellow member of the alliance.
The organization did not respond to a request made by Reuters about the matter, which is sending shockwaves through the geopolitical world before the Republican takes office later this month. Greenland is also a part of NATO through its links with Denmark even if it's not part of the European Union.
Representatives from other European countries did weigh in on the matter, with French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot saying that even though he did not believe Trump would "invade" Greenland, "there is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders."
The German government also gave a public statement, with a spokesperson saying it stands by the international principle that borders must not be changed by force.
Both Denmark and the leader of Greenland have rejected Trump's statements. Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede is set to meet with Danish King Frederik in Copenhagen on Wednesday. The purpose of the meeting was not disclosed.
"Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom," said Egede on Monday. His party is looking to gain independence from Denmark but not at the expense of becoming a part from the U.S.
Danish Frederiksen has called the idea "absurd." "Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic. I persistently hope that this is not something that is seriously meant," he added.
Trump, however, continues to keep the matter at the forefront of the conversation, especially after not committing to not using force to take control of the island. "I can't assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: we need them for economic security," Trump said when asked about potential military or economic coercion. "I'm not going to commit to that."
According to a report by The Hill this past weekend, some Republican lawmakers are expressing skepticism about the feasibility of the plan. "I don't think it's for sale," said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) regarding Greenland. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) suggested that Trump's statements could be aspirational, citing historical examples of U.S. territorial expansion but downplaying the likelihood of immediate action. The U.S. tried to purchase Greenland from Denmark twice over the past centuries but the European country rejected both times.
Democratic lawmakers, on the other hand, have criticized Trump's proposals, warning of potential harm to U.S. alliances and international stability. "Foreign policy is not a real estate game," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to The Hill. "Threatening these countries to seize their territory undermines our standing in the world."
Nevertheless, on top of his speech at Mar-a-Lago, Trump also announced on Truth Social that his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., would visit Greenland this week as part of efforts to engage with the island. He arrived on Tuesday.
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