Danish troops prepared live ammunition amid fears of US action on Greenland

Danish forces were placed on a heightened state of readiness last week, with orders to prepare live ammunition for a possible confrontation with the United States over Greenland, Denmark's public broadcaster DR reported Friday. Citing central political sources, the report stated soldiers were directed to take live rounds to Nuuk, Greenland's capital, to defend the autonomous territory under the Danish realm in a worst-case scenario.

Political Unity Against a Potential Threat

The report indicated there was broad political consensus in Denmark to resist any U.S. attack, with support extending beyond the government to a wide range of opposition parties. Tensions have been simmering due to U.S. President Donald Trump's expressed interest in Greenland, driven by its strategic Arctic position, mineral resources, and concerns over Russian and Chinese activity in the region. Both the Danish government and Greenland's authorities have consistently rejected any notion of selling the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty.

De-escalation Following Diplomatic Talks

According to DR, the military alert was in effect until Wednesday, when President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Following that discussion, Trump backed away from earlier suggestions of using force. He announced a framework had been established for a potential deal concerning Greenland and the wider Arctic, and simultaneously dropped threats to impose tariffs on European nations that opposed his acquisition bid.