As President Donald Trump escalates threats to seize Greenland—potentially by military force if Denmark refuses to sell or cede the Arctic territory—European officials and diplomats are quietly discussing unprecedented ways to push back, including reclaiming control of key U.S. military bases on the continent.
According to reporting from Politico, private conversations across European capitals have aired the “previously unsayable” idea of retaliating against U.S. aggression by cutting off access to military assets that America relies on for global power projection in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. One anonymous European diplomat confirmed: “Discussions are ongoing on how could we put pressure and say ‘Hey, you need us, and if you do this we are going to retaliate in some way.’” The diplomat added that while nobody wants to speak publicly, preparation is necessary: “Maybe it’s wishful thinking… We should be prepared for it.”
The U.S. maintains 31 permanent bases and 19 other sites in Europe as of 2024, hosting around 67,500 active-duty personnel, mostly in Germany, Italy, and the U.K. Critical hubs include Ramstein Air Base in Germany (NATO’s largest in Europe and a launchpad for Middle East/Africa operations), RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall in the U.K. (hosting ~3,000 personnel), and Aviano in Italy (a key fighter wing). Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. troops in Europe, told Politico these bases are “essential for readiness and enabling [America’s] global strategic reach.” Forcing abandonment would be “disastrous” for U.S. operations, he said, and Europe could also halt intelligence-sharing or stop billions in annual weapons purchases (2024 contracts worth $76 billion). Hodges urged: “Europe can help save NATO and save this transatlantic relationship with the United States by standing up to the U.S. and not just being a patsy and rolling over.”
Recent examples underscore U.S. dependence: British bases aided the seizure of a Russian-flagged shadow fleet tanker in the North Atlantic last week, and European air support (including from NATO bases near Romania’s Black Sea) backed U.S. strikes on Iran in June 2025 amid expected resistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a veiled warning, telling ministers: “We don’t underestimate statements on Greenland… If the sovereignty of a European and allied state was hit, the knock-on effects would be unprecedented. France is following the situation with the utmost attention and will act in full solidarity with Denmark.”
The discussions come after Wednesday’s White House talks between Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Greenland’s foreign minister, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ended without progress. Rasmussen called it a “fundamental disagreement,” noting: “The president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”
In response, several NATO allies—including France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands—have deployed small contingents of troops to Greenland for a Danish-led military exercise (Operation Arctic Endurance), framing it as bolstering NATO’s Arctic footprint. The White House dismissed the impact, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating: “I don’t think troops in Europe impacts the president’s decision-making process or impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all.”
The Daily Express US echoed much of the Politico reporting, highlighting the base reclamation idea and troop deployments while noting fears of a full partnership tear.
This fast-moving story reflects deep unease in Brussels and European capitals over Trump’s Greenland fixation, which many see as a test of NATO’s endurance.
