JANUARY 7, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has once again stirred global tension by openly discussing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland — yes, the massive icy island under Denmark’s sovereignty — and even hinted at using the US military to make it happen. 

Uh-oh! This is when we collectively say, “I knew it!”

The White House itself confirmed that Greenland is now considered a “national security priority.” Trump repeated over the weekend that America “needed” Greenland for security reasons, citing Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen quickly fired back, warning that any US attack would spell the end of NATO. 

Imagine that: one reckless move could unravel decades of alliance-building among Western powers.

European leaders didn’t waste time. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint statement: “Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.” 

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed this, stressing that “the dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland’s status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity.”

But Trump’s camp isn’t backing down. Senior advisor Stephen Miller bluntly told CNN, “Nobody’s going to fight the US over the future of Greenland.” 

That statement alone should make us pause. If the world’s most powerful military openly toys with the idea of annexing territory from a fellow NATO member, what message does that send to other ambitious leaders?

Why we should worry

You might ask, “Ano naman ang kinalaman ng Greenland sa Pilipinas?” 

Well, if Trump normalizes the idea that a superpower can simply buy, annex, or militarily seize a weaker nation’s territory, what’s stopping China from feeling emboldened to do the same in the West Philippine Sea?

We’ve already seen Beijing’s aggressive moves — building artificial islands, deploying coast guard vessels, harassing Filipino fishermen. If the US sets a precedent that territorial integrity can be brushed aside for “national security,” China could easily point to Greenland as justification for its own expansionist agenda. 

A dangerous domino effect

History teaches us that when one powerful nation crosses the line, others follow. 

Trump once described Greenland as “essentially a large real estate deal.” But this isn’t just about property. It’s about sovereignty. 

If Greenland can be treated like a commodity, what’s to stop world leaders with the same mindset from treating smaller nations as bargaining chips?

And let’s not forget that Trump’s Greenland push comes right after US military intervention in Venezuela, where elite troops seized President Nicolás Maduro. 

A day later, Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s senior aide, posted a map of Greenland colored in the American flag with the word “SOON.” 

Again … uh-oh! That’s not just a meme — that’s a clear signal!

The Filipino perspective

For us Filipinos, this is more than just foreign drama. It’s a wake-up call. If the US, a supposed defender of democracy and sovereignty, openly considers annexing Greenland, then the moral high ground against China’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea weakens. 

How can Washington lecture Beijing about respecting borders if it’s willing to redraw them for its own gain?

This is where we, as a nation, must ask: Are we prepared for a world where superpowers casually rewrite maps? Are we ready to defend our sovereignty when precedents like Greenland make aggression look “normal”?

The bigger picture

Greenland may seem far away, but the principles at stake are universal. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, and respect for international law — these are the same principles we invoke when we demand China to back off from our waters. 

If Trump undermines them, he undermines us too.

Filipinos know all too well the feeling of being caught between giants. We’ve long relied on alliances to protect our interests. But if NATO itself is shaken by Trump’s Greenland gambit, what assurance do we have that alliances will hold when push comes to shove in the West Philippine Sea?

Trump’s Greenland obsession isn’t just about ice, minerals, or military bases, but about power — raw, unapologetic power. And when power tramples sovereignty, smaller nations like ours are the ones who suffer the ripple effects.

So, dear readers, let’s not dismiss this as “malayo sa atin.” Because when one superpower decides it’s okay to invade or annex, others will surely follow. And in that dangerous game, the Philippines is right in the line of fire.

When sovereignty becomes negotiable, every small nation becomes expendable.

(Image: Yahoo)