France Requests NATO Exercise in Greenland Amid Rising Tensions

France has officially requested a NATO military exercise in Greenland and expressed readiness to contribute, amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving the strategic Arctic territory. The announcement, made by the Élysée and coinciding with a NATO chiefs' meeting in Brussels, underscores European opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to claim Greenland—a Danish autonomous territory.

Several European countries including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have deployed troops to Greenland for reconnaissance operations in preparation for a Danish-led military exercise. Notably, these maneuvers are conducted outside NATO's framework and without U.S. involvement, incensing Trump, who has retaliated by threatening tariffs of up to 25% on participating allies.

Trump's interest in Greenland is driven by its rich mineral resources, which he deems critical for U.S. security in countering Russia and China. When asked how far he would go to acquire Greenland, Trump cryptically replied, "You'll find out," suggesting a significant move could take place. In response, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have denounced any form of territorial annexation as unacceptable, emphasizing the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland as "non-negotiable."

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, EU officials called for calm and strategic responses over retaliation fears. Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Europe's need to respond decisively in an increasingly unstable global landscape, including Arctic security concerns. As relations remain strained, France's call for an official NATO exercise signals its commitment to collective defense and opposition to unilateral actions that threaten regional stability.