What we covered here
• US President Donald Trump tied his ambitions to annex Greenland to his unsuccessful bid for a Nobel Peace Prize in an extraordinary message to Norway’s prime minister. Trump said he no longer feels bound “to think purely of Peace.”
• Trump has threatened tariffs on several European nations until a deal is reached for the US purchase of Greenland. Today, the UK foreign secretary said it was “no way to treat allies” while the EU’s foreign policy chief said Europe is not interested in picking a “fight” with the US but that it will hold its ground.
• Meanwhile, an Israeli official said Trump invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the US-led “Board of Peace” that will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. France’s President Emmanuel Macron declined to join while Russia said President Vladimir Putin also received an invitation.
Our live coverage of the Trump administration has ended for the day. Get the latest on Greenland tensions here.
NORAD says aircraft heading to US base on Greenland for "long-planned" exercise
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Monday it was dispatching aircraft to a United States Space Force base in Greenland’s northwest, as tensions spike between the US and Denmark over the self-governing Danish territory.
NORAD did not disclose the type or number of aircraft headed to the Pituffik Space Base but said they “will support various long-planned NORAD activities.”
The Colorado-based command said the deployment of the aircraft has been coordinated with Denmark, a NATO ally which is responsible for the defense and foreign affairs of Greenland, and that all forces involved “operate with the requisite diplomatic clearances.”
The government of Greenland has also been informed of the deployment, it added.
The Pitiffuk base, the US military’s northernmost installation, supports missile warning and defense and space surveillance operations.
US President Donald Trump insists Greenland should be under American control to protect those defense operations from any potential Russian and Chinese threats.
British lawmaker suggests boycotting World Cup in response to Trump's actions
A British lawmaker has suggested that football teams should boycott the upcoming World Cup in North America in response to US President Donald Trump’s actions over Greenland.
During a debate on arctic security Monday, Conservative MP Simon Hoare accused Trump of disrespecting his allies and suggested the UK respond in kind.
Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor echoed those sentiments, saying the UK is not dealing with a rational man.
“I want to agree with the honorable member for North Dorset (Hoare) and ask the government if they will consider removing the king’s visit to the United States and also a boycott of the World Cup to show Donald Trump that the only thing he responds to is his own pride,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded to such suggestions by saying the UK would continue to pursue diplomacy with the US.
Photos show more Danish troops arriving in Greenland
Additional Danish troops arrived in Greenland on Monday evening as US President Trump lays bare his desire to annex the semi-autonomous territory, photos released by the Danish military show.
The Danish Defence Command posted three images on X showing soldiers, clad in green combat fatigues, disembarking from at least two planes.
Earlier today, a Danish military spokesperson told CNN there will be a “substantial increase” in the number of Danish troops in Greenland while confirming that soldiers were being deployed to the Arctic island this evening.
UK official says Trump conceded he may have been given “bad information” about European troops to Greenland
President Donald Trump conceded in a weekend phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that he may have been given “bad information” on the announcement of troop deployments from European countries to Greenland, according to a senior UK official.
Several European NATO countries announced last week that they’re deploying small numbers of military personnel to Greenland to participate in joint exercises with Denmark, drawing ire from Trump.
CNN has asked the White House for comment on the phone call.
The source added that Danish diplomats had briefed the US in advance of the public announcements. A Danish official told CNN that the deployment was not just communicated in advance, but pre-coordinated within existing European and US military structures.
Still, UK officials see this concession as a path to de-escalation.
In recent days, multiple European diplomats have told CNN that they have been surprised by the rapid escalation in tensions across the Atlantic and within the NATO alliance.
Following a Wednesday meeting in Washington between Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Greenland’s foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, Rasmussen told reporters that the US and Europe maintain a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland.
Privately, Danish and Greenland officials present in that meeting told CNN that while Rubio and Vance listened to their positions and “red lines,” the US side did not relent on Trump’s ultimate goal of gaining control over the island. Those diplomats did say, however, that the establishment of a high-level working group on Greenland at least provides an opportunity for the two sides to continue their dialogue.
Trump’s text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre yesterday, stating that he no longer feels bound “to think purely of Peace” because the Norwegian Nobel Committee did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize adds an entirely new flashpoint in the standoff, apparently entirely unconnected to Trump’s previous upset at the deployment of a small number of European forces to Greenland to assess security needs there.
Macron will decline to serve on Trump’s "Board of Peace," French Foreign Ministry says
French President Emmanuel Macron will decline an invitation to serve on US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” the committee that will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said today.
Numerous countries have received invitations to join the board, a key step in the United Nations-backed American plan to demilitarize and rebuild Gaza, which was ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war.
The Trump-chaired board will include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Confavreux did not mention the $1 billion cost for a permanent seat in his explanation of why Macron is declining the invitation.
That concern echoed one made by Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, who warned yesterday that the body proposed by Trump “would have a mandate wider than the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.”
CNN’s Max Foster contributed to this report.
EU chief discusses Greenland spat with US Congress delegation
We’ve just heard from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said she has discussed the escalating spat between America and Europe over Greenland with a US Congress delegation in Davos, Switzerland.
The EU chief said this need is of “utmost importance to our transatlantic relationship,” after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit several allies with tariffs unless a deal is reached for the US purchase of the Danish territory.
World leaders are heading to Davos this week for the World Economic Forum, an annual event where global elites gather to address the most pressing international issues. This year’s theme is “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
In response to Trump’s threatened tariffs, von der Leyen said such measures run counter to “shared interests.”
Trump's tariff threats are "no way to treat allies," UK foreign secretary says
US President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on European nations over US annexation plans for Greenland are “no way to treat allies,” UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said today.
Trump on Saturday threatened to impose tariffs on several European allies that have objected to his demands to purchase Greenland. Cooper said the use or the threat of tariffs in this way “is completely wrong. It is unwarranted and it is counterproductive.”
The UK plans to “contribute” to a range of exercises in the North Atlantic and High North throughout 2026 to “strengthen our Arctic security,” Cooper said.
Speaking of the exercises, she said “this is how we believe we best strengthen our Arctic security, for the sake of both Western Europe and North America together through alliances and partnerships, not through threats on tariffs or sovereignty that simply undermine our collective security.”
NATO, Denmark and Greenland discuss importance of Arctic for "collective security"
NATO will continue to work with Denmark and Greenland on matters relating to the security of the Arctic region, the military alliance’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said Monday.
His comments follow a meeting with Denmark’s Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt.
During the meeting, Poulsen said he and Motzfeldt raised the possibility of having a NATO mission in Greenland and the Arctic, according to Reuters news agency.
European leaders seek to avoid tariffs while resisting Trump’s Greenland ambitions. Here’s the latest
President Donald Trump linked his interest in acquiring Greenland to his unsuccessful bid for a Nobel Peace Prize in a stunning message to Norway’s prime minister.
Meanwhile, stocks in Europe weakened, while the price of gold reached a new high after Trump threatened tariffs on European allies until they agree to a deal for the US purchase of Greenland.
In response to Trump’s threats, António Costa, the president of the European Council (EUCO), called for an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders on “transatlantic relations,” which is scheduled to be held in Brussels on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, according to the council.
If you’re just joining us, here are the latest developments:
- Text exchange: In his message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump said: “I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.” Read the full exchange between the leaders.
- Denmark deploys more troops: There will be a “substantial increase” in the number of Danish troops in Greenland today, a Danish military spokesperson told CNN, with soldiers being deployed to the Arctic island this evening.
- Greenland’s premier pushes back: “We don’t let ourselves be pressured. We stand firm on dialogue, on respect and on international law,” Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a social post referring to Trump’s latest announcements.
- Denmark’s foreign minister warns of “red lines”: Lars Loekke Rasmussen said there are “red lines which can’t be crossed,” referencing Trump’s aspirations to acquire Greenland. However, he added that he has no intention of escalating the situation.
- European leaders’ strategy: A spokesperson for the European Commission said the priority among EU leaders is to “engage, not escalate, and avoid the imposition of tariffs.” If tariffs are imposed, however, the EU “has tools at its disposal and is prepared to respond because we will do everything necessary to protect EU economic interests,” he said.
- Europe prepared to stand firm: Europe is not interested in picking a “fight” with the US over Trump’s Greenland ambitions, but the bloc will “hold our ground,” according to the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
- China weighs in: “We urge the US to stop using the so-called ‘China threat’ as a pretext for seeking selfish gains,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a news briefing in Beijing, according to CNN affiliate CCTV.
President Trump has told the Norwegian prime minister that he is 'no longer obliged to think purely of peace' after he was snubbed of the Nobel Peace Prize. In the message, Trump also reiterated his calls for Greenland to be handed over to the United States.
CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Olesya Dmitracova, Auzinea Bacon, James Frater, Catherine Nicholls, Inke Kappeler, Rebekah Riess, Benjamin Brown, Amy Croffey, Billy Stockwell and Henrik Pettersson contributed to this report.
Europe doesn't want a "fight" over Greenland, but will hold its ground, says EU foreign policy chief
Europe is not interested in picking a “fight” with the US over President Donald Trump’s ambitions to annex Greenland, but the bloc will “hold our ground,” according to the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Trump’s threat to hit his allies with tariffs unless a deal is reached for the US purchase of Greenland is “not the way to go about this,” Kallas said.
"There are red lines which can't be crossed," says Danish foreign minister
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said there are “red lines which can’t be crossed,” referencing US President Donald Trump’s aspirations to acquire Greenland. However, he added that he has no intention of escalating the situation.
He said he believed the United Kingdom and the European Union would stand behind Denmark, citing the “strong statement” of support from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer said earlier Monday that it’s “completely wrong” to impose tariffs on allies and reaffirmed that any decision about the future status of Greenland “belongs to the people of Greenland.”
Asked if he felt betrayed by the US, Rasmussen said Monday: “I use the word surprised… I have no intention to escalate things.”
"We don’t let ourselves be pressured," Greenland's premier says as Trump spat escalates
Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said today that dialogue should prevail as US and Europe clash over President Donald Trump’s aspirations to acquire Greenland and subsequent threat of tariffs on European allies.
Nielsen said support for Greenland from other countries and state leaders “means something,” calling it a “clear recognition that Greenland is a democratic society with the right to make its own decisions.”
Cardinals issue rare appeal calling on Trump to adopt "moral" foreign policy
Three US cardinals have issued a rare joint statement calling for a “genuinely moral foreign policy” for America, citing recent events in Venezuela, Ukraine and Greenland.
“We renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military action must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations,” the cardinals said.
The statement was signed by Cardinals Robert McElroy of Washington, DC, Blase Cupich of Chicago and Joseph Tobin of Newark.
The three cardinals quoted from Pope Leo XIV’s recent “state of the world” address in the Vatican, where the pontiff warned how “zeal for war is spreading” and the post-Second World War principle that prohibited nations violating the borders of others has been “completely undermined.”
The US’ “moral role” in the world, the cardinals state, was now coming “under examination,” while attempts to build peace are being “reduced to partisan categories that encourage polarization and destructive policies.”
Their unusual joint declaration comes after both the pope and US bishops have criticized the Trump administration’s policy on immigration. McElroy, whose doctoral thesis was published as a book titled “Morality and American Foreign Policy: The Role of Ethics in International Affairs” in 1992, last year described immigration deportations as “morally repugnant.”
Meanwhile, the US archbishop who has responsibility for the military expressed concern that “service personnel could be put in a situation where they’re being ordered to do something that’s morally questionable” when it came to any US action against Greenland.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio told the BBC yesterday that “he cannot see any circumstances” that a US operation in Greenland could be a just war, describing Denmark as “an ally.”
European countries have not ruled out using their "trade bazooka." Here's what that means
European countries are weighing using their “trade bazooka” after US President Trump threatened tariffs on European allies.
But what is this so-called anti-coercion instrument?
The tool — adopted in 2023 with countries like China in mind — can be applied if a third country tries to pressure the European Union or one of its member states “into making a particular choice by applying, or threatening to apply, measures affecting trade or investment.” It could block some of America’s access to EU markets or impose export controls, among a broader list of potential countermeasures.
Trump announced Saturday that he would impose 10% tariffs on February 1 on goods from eight countries that oppose a takeover of Greenland. It would increase to 25% if an agreement is not reached by June 1.
The types of measures the European Commission can take using this anti-coercion instrument include restricting “foreign direct investment, financial markets, public procurement, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, export controls, and more,” according to the policy.
However, the implementation of the “trade bazooka” could take time to implement.
The European Commission would first need to examine the existence of economic coercion in an individual case. Then the council has a maximum of eight to ten weeks to “expeditiously” implement the act and would request “the coercing third country to stop the coercion,” the policy reads.
Efforts would then be made to consult with the coercing third country to resolve the issue, but “if those efforts do not bear fruit,” the EU would then implement its anti-coercion instrument.
Here's the text exchange between Trump and Norway's prime minister about Greenland
CNN has obtained the full message exchange between Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, writing on behalf of himself and President Alexander Stubb of Finland, and US President Donald Trump. Here’s that conversation:
Text message from Prime Minister Støre to President Trump [January 18 at 3:48 p.m.]:
Text message from President Trump to Prime Minister Støre [January 18 at 4:15 p.m.]:
Trump has been imposing tariffs for some time now. What are they and how do they work?
When US President Donald Trump began his second term last year, he immediately started threatening steep tariffs on goods imported from countries around the globe.
On Saturday, he announced that he would impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight European countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany. Those eight nations had sent troops to Greenland Friday to take part in a joint military exercise on the island over the weekend.
Trump did not specify whether the announced levies would be enacted on top of other tariffs already in existence. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.
What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods or services. In some countries, exports can also be subject to tariffs.
The levies typically amount to a percentage of the value of the import and can vary based on what the imports are and where they come from.
Domestic businesses that import products into the country pay the tariffs up front. They may choose to absorb those extra costs or pass them on in part or in full to their customers.
Tariff transactions occur at hundreds of points of entry into the United States, designated by Customs and Border Protection to take in imports, including airports, railways, roads and ports.
China to US: Stop playing the "China threat" card with Greenland
China hit out at the United States today, rejecting the claim that it poses a threat to Greenland.
“We urge the US to stop using the so-called ‘China threat’ as a pretext for seeking selfish gains,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a news briefing in Beijing, according to CNN affiliate CCTV.
The rebuke comes as US President Donald Trump, in a lengthy social media post Saturday, said the United States needed possession of Greenland to counter Chinese and Russian threats in the Arctic and develop what he has called the Golden Dome to protect North America from ballistic missiles.
“China has stated its position on multiple occasions on Greenland. The international law underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is the foundation of the current international order and must be upheld,” Jiakun added.
More Danish troops will be deployed to Greenland today, military spokesperson tells CNN
There will be a “substantial increase” in the number of Danish troops in Greenland after today, a Danish military spokesperson told CNN, with soldiers being deployed to the Arctic island this evening.
The troops will be sent to the municipality of Kangerlussuaq, the spokesperson said. Kangerlussuaq, in the south-west of the island, is in the Arctic Circle.
The chief of the Royal Danish Army, Major General Peter Boysen, will be deployed with the soldiers, the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official says Trump has invited Netanyahu to join "Board of Peace" for Gaza
US President Donald Trump has invited Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the US-led “Board of Peace,” a senior Israeli official told CNN.
According to the official, the invitation was extended to Netanyahu or another Israeli representative on his behalf. Israel hasn’t officially replied yet to be a founding member state, the official said.
Over the weekend, the US extended invitations to multiple world leaders to join the Trump-led board, which is expected to oversee governance and reconstruction of post-war Gaza.
The Kremlin earlier said Russian President Vladimir Putin was also invited to join the committee.
For more context: Netanyahu is facing internal political pressure following the advancement of the Gaza ceasefire deal to phase two. On Saturday, he harshly criticized the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar in key roles on the executive board after trying to prevent their involvement in Gaza.
