We are not some piece of ice: Greenland PM hits back at Trump

Trump renews attacks on Nato and revives the Greenland push as the Iran war deepens alliance rifts, prompting a sharp rebuke from Greenland's prime minister defending sovereignty and global cooperation.

In Short

• Trump questions Nato’s reliability amid Iran war tensions
• Greenland’s PM rejects Trump’s dismissive remarks
• Iran war deepens Nato alliance strains

As the diplomatic fallout from the Iran war exposed rifts in Washington’s ties with Nato, US President Donald Trump appeared to have set his eyes on Greenland again while venting frustration at European allies. In a fresh outburst against Nato, he questioned the alliance’s reliability and again brought Greenland into focus.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that "NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!"

In response to Trump, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made it clear that Greenland would not accept dismissive characterisations from Washington, stressing both national dignity and commitment to global cooperation.

"We are not some piece of ice. We are a proud population of 57,000 people, working every single day as good global citizens in full respect for all our allies," he said.

"What is important for us is that we maintain the world community that we have built after World War Two, where we have a defence alliance that we respect, and where we have international law respected by all sides," Nielsen told Reuters.

"Those things are being challenged now, and I think all allies should stand together to try to maintain them. I hope that will happen," he added.

TRUMP TARGETS NATO, REVIVES GREENLAND PUSH

Trump’s remarks came during a fresh outburst against Nato, where he questioned the alliance’s reliability and again brought Greenland into focus.

He has repeatedly criticised Nato allies for refusing to fully back US military efforts in the Iran conflict, calling their response a "great test" and warning of a possible US withdrawal from the alliance.

Trump also reiterated his long-standing interest in Greenland, stating earlier this week: "We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, 'bye, bye.'"

IRAN WAR DEEPENS ALLIANCE STRAINS

The ongoing Iran war has intensified disagreements within Nato after several European members declined to support the US-Israeli military campaign. Reports indicate that some countries have refused access to airspace and naval cooperation, particularly around efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the tensions, saying, “He is clearly disappointed with many Nato allies, and I can see his point.”

CEASEFIRE REMAINS FRAGILE

The diplomatic fallout comes even as a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran struggles to hold. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has already accused Washington of violating the agreement within hours of its announcement.

- Ends