Ian Bremmer has warned that if Trump persists in pushing for control of Greenland, it could spell “the end of Nato,” arguing that such a move would strain transatlantic ties and provoke deep opposition from European allies and Denmark
Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group, has warned that if US President Donald Trump persists in pushing for control of Greenland, it could spell “the end of Nato,” arguing that such a move would strain transatlantic ties and provoke deep opposition from European allies and Denmark.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, he said, ” If he does that. It’s very unpopular in the United States, it’s unnecessary for US National Security, the Denmark are a very close ally, or have been, and they are willing to provide whatever national security access the Americans need. But Trump has decided that’s not what he wants. What he wants is his name on the territory.”
He said that Trump’s focus on personal branding and territorial ambition, rather than collaborative alliance diplomacy, has fueled concerns among Denmark and European officials and the situation could escalate into a broader crisis if not defused.
“Historically, he has been very successful putting his brand on many things, on TV shows, on buildings, on the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, but on foreign territory is not one of them, and Denmark and the European allies strongly oppose this and Trump’s going to have to back down. If he doesn’t back down, he’s going to have a big fight in his hands, and he’s going to have the end of the Transatlantic Alliance,” he added.
When asked what do you expect the Europeans to say when they do meet with him here in Davos as there’s no sign or indication of him backing down just yet, he said recent talks between Danish and Greenland foreign ministers and senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were “quite constructive.”
“The Danes explained the red line of sovereignty and territorial control, and the meeting did not break over that. They said, let us find a constructive way to move forward. That is not what we have heard from Trump,” he said.
He described the president as a unilateralist whose interests “are not always aligned with those of the United States,” a dynamic that has raised concern among European and US officials.
“When negotiating with other US officials, fine—but you are not the President of the United States, which is a different animal,” Bremmer said, noting the challenge Europe faces in balancing Trump’s ego with maintaining Greenland’s sovereignty.
Trump’s Greenland threats
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” drawing sharp pushback from European leaders.
German and French officials condemned the weekend threats as “blackmail” and indicated that Europe is preparing possible trade countermeasures.
The European Union announced an emergency summit on Thursday to coordinate its response, stressing that it seeks to “engage, not escalate,” while remaining prepared to act if necessary.
Greenland, home to 57,000 people, said such pressure will not change its determination to maintain sovereignty.
Trump has argued that the mineral-rich island is critical for US “national security,” despite existing military bases and security agreements with Denmark, a Nato ally.
With inputs from agencies
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