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Trump's Greenland Threats Could Undermine NATO's Nuclear Deterrence

1/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rose Gottemoeller, former NATO deputy secretary-general, warns that the United States could face a future without nuclear deterrence in Europe because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on Greenland.
The White House has threatened military action to acquire Greenland, prompting European leaders to say the territory belongs to its people.
Gottemoeller says such actions could undermine NATO and lead to nuclear proliferation.
U.S. military operations in Venezuela have heightened fears of similar aggression in Greenland, which is strategically important for U.S. defense and is rich in rare earth minerals.

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Story summary

Rose Gottemoeller, former NATO deputy secretary-general, warns that the United States could face a future without nuclear deterrence in Europe because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on Greenland.
The White House has threatened military action to acquire Greenland, prompting European leaders to say the territory belongs to its people.
Gottemoeller says such actions could undermine NATO and lead to nuclear proliferation.
U.S. military operations in Venezuela have heightened fears of similar aggression in Greenland, which is strategically important for U.S. defense and is rich in rare earth minerals.