Trump and the Transatlantic Alliance: Greenland, Tariffs, and NATO Under StrainSince World War II, the transatlantic alliance has been a cornerstone of Western security, economic cooperation, and liberal democratic norms. This episode crystallizes the multidimensional risks facing the transatlantic alliance: strategic, economic, and political. Diplomatic and Congressional CounterweightsDespite the escalating tensions over Greenland, the crisis does not inevitably signal disaster for the transatlantic alliance. NATO and European Defense: Burden-Shifting and Strategic AutonomyTrump’s repeated emphasis on European defense spending, combined with threats over Greenland and punitive tariffs on NATO allies, has highlighted a long-standing burden-shifting dynamic within the transatlantic alliance. China and Russia: Exploiting Transatlantic DivisionsThe Greenland crisis and other Trump-era policies have created openings for both China and Russia to exploit divisions within the transatlantic alliance.

Source: CNN January 25, 2026 13:02 UTC