“Nobody Trusts What Trump’s America Is Selling — Here’s Why NATO’s Reassurance Isn’t Working”

The diplomatic storm over Greenland has turned into an argument about what allies can demand of each other, and the pressure within NATO. Even after President Trump dropped his tariff threats on nations opposing his Greenland takeover plan, the furor has placed doubts on the US’s reliability. Evangelo Sipsas reports from Copenhagen.

In Europe, the tariff reversal didn’t close the story. It underscored a deeper worry in Brussels and Copenhagen: an ally that feels increasingly unpredictable—and a partnership under strain. From Brussels to Copenhagen, officials bristled—not just at the announcement, but at what they call a pattern: unilateral pressure and shifting rules inside the alliance. The EU didn’t wait long to respond. The European Parliament’s trade committee froze work on the US–EU deal—citing a breakdown in trust after the Greenland tariff threat. And in Denmark—one of Washington’s most loyal partners—the renewed talk of “acquiring” Greenland hit hard.

RASMUS MOLGAARD MARIAGER, Professor of Contemporary History, University of Copenhagen “And it came as a shock to most Danes. One should remember that Denmark has been one of the United States’ closest allies in Europe for decades. Denmark has participated in the American wars, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, other places. Denmark has been one of the most loyal states. And therefore it came as a shock that the new American administration wanted to take part of the Danish kingdom.”

That anger has spilled into the streets. Demonstrations have recently taken place in both Greenland and Denmark—rallies in Nuuk and Copenhagen condemning Trump’s remarks and actions, and insisting Greenland is not for sale.

EVANGELO SIPSAS, Copenhagen “It’s not just politicians raising eyebrows here. For many Danes, the issue hits close to home—literally. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. And to them, it’s not a bargaining chip. It’s part of their national identity.

Trump says it’s about Arctic security. But legally, the U.S. already has access—along with a long-standing military presence on the island. So Danish analysts keep asking: if the U.S. can already operate there, why demand control?

OTTO BRONS PEDERSEN, Analyst “Greenland is already part, not a part of the U.S., but the U.S. has the same opportunities as they would if Greenland were formerly a part of the U.S. And that’s, of course, why this is very difficult to comprehend in Greenland and in Denmark. What is the U.S. interest in Greenland.”

And there’s the legal reality: Denmark can’t simply “sell” Greenland. Its future is tied to Greenlanders—and their right to decide. That’s also reshaping opinion on the island itself.

METTE MARIE STAEHR HARDER, Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Copenhagen “It’s an indigenous population even. And it’s protected within the self-government treaty between Denmark and Greenland that the Greenlandic people needs to decide their own future. So, I mean, Denmark would not be able to sell Greenland, even if we wanted to, which we definitely do not want to, right? I think our prime minister has been very clear so many times.”

The fallout is showing up beyond diplomacy—in public sentiment, and in consumer choices.

EVANGELO SIPSAS, Copenhagen “The diplomatic fallout isn’t just theory. It’s already showing up in consumer behavior. A popular Danish app now helps users boycott U.S. goods—a small but potent signal of frustration.

Europe is adjusting—new trade outreach, more defense spending, and sharper talk about strategic independence. And more discussion—once unthinkable—of a NATO that may one day have to function with less American leadership.

DAVID TROTZ, Journalist, Author “And I think we are in a moment like that. European leaders are accepting and realizing that we have to do something to get back in the game. We cannot just sit behind the United States and hope they will help us. We’ll have to create something ourselves, security-wise, but also economically.”

The tariff threat may be off. But the protests, the trade backlash, and the bigger question inside NATO remain. Greenland may not be for sale—but alliances are always being tested. Evangelo Sipsas for CGTN, Copenhagen.