Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said on Sunday that any U.S. military attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark would put the United States at odds with its NATO allies and could undermine the alliance itself.
Strategic Access, Not Invasion
McCaul, chair emeritus of both the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, acknowledged Greenland’s strategic importance but noted that the U.S. already has a treaty granting “full military access” to the island to defend it if necessary — making a military invasion unnecessary and, in his view, dangerously counterproductive.
Turning NATO on Its Head
McCaul warned that using force to take Greenland would violate NATO’s core principle of collective defense. Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, an armed attack against any member is considered an attack against all — meaning a U.S. attack on Greenland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO member through that relationship, could force alliance members into conflict with one another.
Diplomacy vs. Military Action
While McCaul said the U.S. could expand its military presence in Greenland through existing agreements, he stressed that an invasion would be a grave mistake.
“If he wants to purchase Greenland, that’s one thing,” McCaul said, “but for him to militarily invade would … press a war with NATO itself.”
Wider Tensions With Allies
The remarks come amid broader tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to gain control of Greenland — including threats of tariffs on European allies who oppose the idea — and strong pushback from Denmark and other NATO members who say the island is not for sale and should remain under its current governance.
For more on the U.S. proposed takeover of Greenland and rising international tensions, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.