The dispute also underscores broader concerns about the tone of the second Trump administration toward Europe. Even before Greenland became a flashpoint, senior U.S. officials had repeatedly framed Europe as complacent, divided, and in decline. JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, which criticized Europe as soft on immigration and insufficiently committed to democratic values, conveyed skepticism about the continent’s reliability as a strategic partner. Trump’s National Security Strategy further reinforced this message, questioning the long-term dependability of European economies and militaries while painting a bleak picture of demographic and cultural decline. Advisors such as Stephen Miller articulated a worldview emphasizing dominance over consensus, suggesting that strength and unilateral action are preferable to negotiation and collaboration. In this context, Greenland becomes symbolic: a demonstration of American primacy, intended to assert control even at the risk of fracturing long-standing alliances. Continue reading…
