But a framework for allied cooperation on Arctic security has been in place for decades, making this simply an elegant way of backing down on untenable bluffs. Analysts say Trump had no legal authority to impose the tariffs he threatened, and invading would have weakened NATO and Arctic defence, rather than strengthening it. But Trump’s tariffs weren’t the only untenable bluff in his Greenland gambit; his Arctic security rationale drew sharp criticism from defence analysts. Arctic security realityTrump argued that owning Greenland was key to Arctic security, owing to threats posed by both China and Russia, but security analysts disagreed. But an invasion of Greenland wouldn’t improve Arctic security, it would have the opposite effect, he added.

Source: National Post January 23, 2026 10:07 UTC