【Wen / Observers Network, Xiong Chaoran】 The "smell of gunpowder" between the United States and Europe over the issue of Greenland's sovereignty has become increasingly intense, even to the point of "drawing weapons"?

On January 21 local time, the French presidential office issued a statement saying that France has requested NATO to hold military exercises in Greenland to strengthen security in the region. At the same time, France is ready to participate in this NATO military exercise.

Bloomberg later reported that this move by France may anger US President Trump. Last weekend, several European allies said they would conduct symbolic military exercises in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, including France sending personnel, and Trump immediately issued threats of additional tariffs against these countries.

As expected, soon after, US Treasury Secretary Bensons warned European countries not to increase their military presence in Greenland and criticized France's call for NATO to hold military exercises on the island. He questioned the message conveyed by European allies: "I don't know what message these countries are trying to send by deploying troops. In my view, it seems quite unrealistic."

Bensons even directly and harshly criticized French President Macron: "If President Macron can only do these things while France's budget is in chaos, I suggest he should do other things for the French people."

On January 19, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland, US Treasury Secretary Bensons attended the 2026 World Economic Forum. IC Photo

Bloomberg reported on the same day that Bensons' remarks set the stage for a potential fierce conflict between Trump and his European allies.

On one hand, European allies are angry at Trump's demand that Denmark give up control over Greenland and allow the US to take over the island for so-called "national security" reasons. On the other hand, Trump has long coveted Greenland, and his rhetoric has become more hardened in recent weeks. He also threatened to impose new tariffs on eight European NATO allies if they continue to oppose his plan.

European leaders are weighing possible retaliatory measures while also waiting for Trump to arrive in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum. Before Trump arrived in Switzerland, Bensons had been continuously urging US partners to fulfill trade agreements and firmly refuting the idea that European countries might take tough countermeasures over the Greenland issue.

On January 20 local time, Bensons mocked the idea of Europe selling US treasury bonds, although this could be seen as a potentially market-altering countermeasure, but he called it a so-called "false narrative."

On January 21 local time, when asked again whether Denmark and other countries would sell US treasury bonds, Bensons dismissed these concerns and said Denmark's investment in US treasury bonds was "irrelevant." "I'm not worried at all," he said lightly.

Although previously threatening to impose new tariffs, Trump also expressed confidence that the EU would continue to invest in the US before leaving Washington on January 20 local time for Davos.

"They really need to reach this agreement with us. They do need it very much, and they have made great efforts for it. So I doubt it." When asked whether he anticipated the EU would break its commitment to investing in the US, Trump said.

Evidently, the ambition of the Trump administration to annex Greenland has increased recently, which has exacerbated tensions between the US and its NATO allies. Following this, European countries have openly announced their military plans in Greenland, which have been interpreted by the media as "sending a strong signal of support."

January 14, a Danish Air Force plane landed in Greenland, screenshot from video

On January 19 local time, the Dutch Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that two Dutch Royal Navy officers left Greenland after completing their "planned work." The statement read: "Two Dutch Royal Navy officers who participated in the reconnaissance mission in Greenland as part of a joint military exercise in the Arctic have completed their planned work and will leave Greenland today."

The statement said that these two officers provided operational and logistical expertise in Greenland for the reconnaissance operation led by Denmark and involving multiple NATO allies. "The next step may be a larger deployment (Arctic Sentry) within the framework of NATO," the statement added, noting that further discussions would take place within NATO in the coming period.

At the same time, on January 18 local time, a German military reconnaissance team of 15 soldiers also left Greenland.

Previously, several European countries proposed establishing a NATO joint task force to protect the security of the Arctic region. This task force will be named "Arctic Sentry," following the example of the previous "Baltic Sentry" established by NATO. In January 2025, NATO launched the "Baltic Sentry" operation, deploying frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and drones in the Baltic Sea to "enhance surveillance and deterrence."

On January 13 local time, NATO Secretary-General Lut spoke at the 2026 "Revive Europe Global Europe Forum," and a reporter asked about the possibility of launching the "Arctic Sentry" operation. At that time, Lut replied, "We expect to discuss how to take the next steps in the coming weeks. Given that all NATO allies have reached the same analysis, the next action must focus on a core issue."

At the same time, the Danish Armed Forces are also expanding military exercises in their autonomous territory of Greenland and may make these exercises routine throughout the year.

According to reports, Greenland's autonomous government Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told local residents on January 20 local time that although the possibility of an "military invasion" is not high, preparations should now begin for a possible "military invasion."

This article is an exclusive piece from Observers Network. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597765848387961344/

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