WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers are currently attempting to mitigate President Donald Trump’s controversial claims regarding Greenland, which have evoked the strongest dissent from within their party towards the administration's policies since Trump assumed office. The situation escalated after Trump expressed his intention to acquire the Arctic island, leading to increasing concerns about the future of NATO, a foundational alliance for American influence both in Europe and globally.
In a proactive response, several Republican legislators took to the Senate floor to emphasize the significance of NATO, introduced legislation aimed at preventing military action against Denmark, and even traveled to Copenhagen for discussions with Danish officials. However, the efficacy of these measures remains doubtful as Trump persists in his assertions about controlling Greenland, fuelling fears of potential fallout for NATO and prompting questions about the implications of Trump’s unilateral foreign policy approach.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons remarked that when the United States, the most powerful military force globally, consistently threatens another nation’s territory, it becomes a cause for serious concern. To alleviate tensions, Coons organized a bipartisan delegation to Denmark that included Republican Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. This endeavor aimed to facilitate discussions on mutual military agreements in the Arctic and ease rising tensions stemming from Trump’s statements.
Nevertheless, Trump has unveiled his plans to impose a 10% import tariff on goods from eight European countries starting in February, attributing this to their dissent regarding Greenland. He stressed on social media that the urgency to acquire territory remains particularly crucial due to modern military capabilities.
While key Republican figures have distanced themselves from the notion of forcibly taking Greenland, they have mostly refrained from overtly challenging Trump’s rhetoric about possession of the island. Senator Tillis condemned the proposed tariffs as detrimental to American interests, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested that there is a significant reluctance to endorse the more extreme proposals being discussed. Former Republican leader Mitch McConnell emphasized that any attempt to seize Greenland could erode trust with allies and damage Trump’s legacy.
Amid this political turmoil, Republicans and Democrats alike see potential for strengthening American interests in Greenland while preserving amicable ties with Denmark. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt recently discussed opportunities for cooperative development in critical mineral industries and military collaboration during a meeting with U.S. lawmakers, asserting the absence of concerning Chinese or Russian activities in Greenland.
In a bid to safeguard against any military considerations, lawmakers are contemplating legislation that would restrict the Department of Defense from utilizing funds for any actions against NATO members without explicit consent. Senator Murkowski has proposed measures to nullify Trump’s tariffs, emphasizing bipartisan resolutions previously passed to undermine global tariffs, although these lacked significant traction in the House.
Democrats are also pushing for war powers resolutions that would mandate presidential congressional approval for military actions, including those related to Greenland. Senator Tim Kaine noted that these resolutions have pressured Republicans and compelled the Trump administration to confer with lawmakers about military engagements.
Despite these united efforts, Republican leaders have successfully blocked a recent resolution regarding military action in Venezuela, employing the argument that lacking U.S. troops on the ground makes the resolution irrelevant. This precedent could pose challenges for future resolutions, enabling Republicans to evade direct opposition to Trump.
Conversely, a handful of Republicans—especially those departing Congress—have voiced more robust objections to Trump’s Greenland strategies. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska expressed that any invasion of Greenland could lead to calls for Trump’s impeachment. Senator Tillis has criticized Trump’s advisors, calling their pursuit of coercive actions to seize allied territory “beyond stupid.” As the situation develops, the ongoing tension surrounding Trump's Greenland assertions continues to be a focal point in U.S. diplomatic and domestic discussions.
