The language alarmed European leaders already uneasy about the state of the transatlantic relationship. Trump’s comments did not stop at Greenland. He criticized NATO allies as insufficiently grateful and hinted that American protection should not be taken for granted. To many in Europe, the message sounded less like partnership and more like coercion.
That tension came to a head during a session of the European Parliament, when Danish Member of the European Parliament Anders Vistisen took the floor. Vistisen, known for his hardline views on sovereignty and national independence, launched into a forceful defense of Greenland’s status and Denmark’s authority.