'They Don't Want To Give It To Us': Trump Ties NATO Rift Directly To Greenland Standoff

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 05:59 IST

Trump also took aim at traditional non-NATO partners South Korea, Australia and Japan for not contributing to the Iran conflict.

US President Donald Trump lashed out at NATO allies who declined to support the United States during the war in Iran while renewing his push to annex Greenland- remarks that came just days before NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to visit Washington.

“Look, we went to NATO," Trump said, adding, “I didn’t ask very strongly, I just said, ‘Hey, if you want to help, great.'" He claimed he was flatly refused, saying alliance members had “actually gone out of their way not to help."

Read more: ‘Entire Country Can Be Taken Out In One Night’: Trump To Iran As Hormuz Deadline Looms

Trump went further, declaring the alliance “a paper tiger" that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is not afraid of". Despite the sharp criticism, Trump spoke warmly of Rutte himself, calling him “a great person." The NATO chief is scheduled to hold talks in Washington on Wednesday with Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump Doubles Down On Greenland

At the heart of Trump’s frustration, he suggested, was Greenland annexation that has strained relations with NATO allies since he first returned to office.

“It all began with- if you want to know the truth- Greenland," Trump said, asserting, “We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘bye, bye.'"

Greenland is an autonomous territory controlled by Denmark, a NATO member that has firmly rejected Trump’s repeated calls for annexation as has the broader alliance.

Read more: Trump Hails ‘Historic’ Rescue Mission Of US Pilots: ‘We Don’t Leave Any American Behind’

Trump’s criticism extended beyond NATO’s European members. He also took aim at traditional non-NATO partners South Korea, Australia and Japan for not contributing to the Iran conflict. By contrast, he singled out several Gulf nations- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates- for praise, crediting them with meaningful support during the war.

News world 'They Don't Want To Give It To Us': Trump Ties NATO Rift Directly To Greenland Standoff

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