President Donald Trump has reignited his campaign for the United States to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday (July 7). Trump emphasized Greenland's strategic importance to U.S. security, saying it's surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships. That's a claim that has been disputed by European leaders.

At the summit, Trump threatened to withdraw all U.S. military forces from Europe, criticizing the continent for its opposition to his Greenland proposal. He argued that Europe has changed significantly over the past 20 years due to immigration and energy policies, suggesting that these changes have affected the continent's stability. According to Reuters, Trump expressed disappointment with NATO, claiming the alliance has not adequately supported the U.S., despite the mutual defense pact being activated only after the 9/11 attacks.

European leaders, including UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have reiterated that the future of Greenland should be determined by the people of Greenland and Denmark. Reeves stated, "The future of Greenland is up to the people of Greenland and of Denmark, and not up to the U.S. president." The Guardian reported that Trump's comments have strained relations with NATO allies, who are working to address his longstanding complaints about defense spending.

In addition to the Greenland issue, Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Turkey, imposed after Ankara's purchase of a Russian missile defense system. This move, as reported by PBS, could pave the way for Turkey's re-entry into the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, despite opposition from some U.S. lawmakers and concerns from Israel.

The NATO summit also showcased new military projects worth billions, aimed at strengthening the alliance's defense capabilities. However, Trump's renewed demands for Greenland and his criticisms of NATO spending continue to pose challenges for transatlantic relations.

Simon Conway