Trump’s imperialist threat against Greenland divides NATO. Today, Wadephul is looking for solutions in Washington. We reveal the plan in our “FR-üh-dran column”.
FR-üh Radar – this is what’s coming up today: It’s a diplomatic balancing act between ice cold and hot heads: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) is jetting to Washington today to talk to his US colleague Marco Rubio about the future of Greenland. Like the news agency dpa reported, the conversation was influenced by Donald Trump’s threats to “take over” the Arctic island by force.
Wadephul previously stops off in Iceland and meets his colleague Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. In the evening there will be a conversation with UN Secretary General António Guterres in New York. A diplomatic offensive that shows: When the most powerful ally threatens annexation, Europe has to get creative. We explain to you why these talks today could be crucial for the future of transatlantic relations.
The starting point: What Wadephul wants to achieve with Rubio on Greenland
Table of Contents
We explain to you how this came about: Last week, Trump reaffirmed his annexation plans for Greenland and threatened military force. “If we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way,” the quoted dpa the US President. Trump justifies his interest with security concerns and an alleged threat from China and Russia in the Arctic. Greenland is also rich in mineral resources such as rare earths and oil.
The Greenland threats are part of Trump’s new imperialist agenda: first he had Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrested and brought to the USA, now he is threatening the forcible incorporation of NATO territory. Denmark and Greenland strictly reject both annexation and purchase plans. How t-online reports, Germany is now apparently planning to propose a NATO mission called “Arctic Sentry,” which will be modeled on the recently launched “Baltic Sentry” mission.
Die Crux:
Here you will find out what it is about, what it is important and what it depends on: The problem lies in the paradoxical situation that the USA is threatening a NATO member militarily – because Greenland belongs to Denmark and is therefore automatically part of the alliance. CDU foreign politician Armin Laschet warned loudly dpathat “military action against a small NATO country would destroy the last trust in the alliance”. Trump’s imperialist rhetoric shows a pattern: Where previous US presidents relied on diplomacy and international cooperation, Trump openly threatens violence to enforce American interests.
Germany’s proposed solution: An “Arctic Sentry” mission modeled on “Baltic Sentry,” which was only launched on January 14, 2025. This Baltic Sea mission monitors critical underwater infrastructure against Russian sabotage using patrol aircraft, warships and drones. A similar Arctic mission could take away the US argument that security in the strategically important region is not sufficiently guaranteed.
Espresso arguments for the coffee kitchen
With these arguments you will score points in the political debate in the coffee kitchen:
“Trump only protects American interests” – This claim obscures Trump’s dangerous imperialism. From Venezuela to Greenland, he is threatening violence to assert US claims to power – this is classic colonial rhetoric of the 19th century. When the United States threatens military force against allies, it destroys the trust that is essential for collective defense.
“Trump is a strong leader who will make America great again” – In fact, Trump is making America an international pariah. Imperialist threats against allies isolate the United States and drive other countries into the arms of China and Russia. Real strength is shown in successful diplomacy and reliable partnerships, not in fantasies of colonial conquest.
“The Arctic needs American strength against Russia and China” – It is true: security in the Arctic can be achieved through multilateral cooperation, not through annexations. With “Arctic Sentry” Germany is suggesting exactly the right path: joint NATO surveillance instead of unilateral land seizure. The “Baltic Sentry” model already shows how effectively such missions work.
“America has historic claims to Greenland” – This is pure misrepresentation of history and imperialist propaganda. Greenland was never American and the USA had already rejected an offer to buy it in 1946. Trump’s annexation fantasies are fatally reminiscent of Putin’s “historic claims” on Ukraine or China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. The right to self-determination of the 56,000 Greenlanders stands above imperialist power fantasies – regardless of whether they come from Washington, Moscow or Beijing.
FR-uh turn – the situation in the morning
In our daily briefing we inform you about the most important events of the day, explain the background and provide you with suitable arguments for the political debate in the coffee kitchen. Read here why “FR-üh tun” should become your daily morning ritual.
Are you missing arguments, contradicting ours or would you like to add to them? Then join the discussion in the comments column under each issue.
Looking ahead
Read here today what will happen next: After Wadephul’s talks it will become clear whether the German NATO initiative “Arctic Sentry” will find support. Rubio had already announced a meeting with Danish representatives this week to discuss Greenland’s future. Wadephul’s surprise meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres suggests that international organizations should also be included in the discussion – especially in light of the announced US withdrawal from 66 UN organizations. Trump’s imperialist agenda could present similar ultimatums to other allies.
Really now?!
Trump’s imperialist turn is historically unprecedented: no US president since the 19th century has so openly threatened the violent annexation of allied territory. The last major US land grab was the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 – that was 127 years ago. At that time there was no UN Charter, no NATO, no international human rights. Trump apparently wants to return America to the age of colonialism. The fact that a country that sees itself as the “Leader of the Free World” is now threatening to use methods that are otherwise used by autocrats shows that the rules-based international order is facing its biggest test since 1945. (Sources: dpa, AFP, Reuters, t-online.de, ntv.de) (jack)
