France is warning that the world is entering a dangerous era of coercion over cooperation, citing President Trump’s push to assert control over Greenland. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot delivered the warning during a visit to the Arctic territory, accusing major powers of undermining peace and stability.
Barrot declared, “The certainty of peace, prosperity and democracy are all being called into question by the resurgence of new empires that would like to replace the logic of cooperation with the logic of coercion… This brutalization of the world can be seen even in the Arctic.” The remarks were a direct rebuke of U.S. interest in Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly described as strategically essential to American security.
Greenland, a Danish territory rich in resources and critical to Arctic defense, has become a flashpoint in U.S.–European relations. Trump has raised the prospect of buying Greenland or otherwise exerting American control. France and other European powers have firmly rejected the idea, reaffirming their support for Denmark’s sovereignty.
French President Emmanuel Macron made similar remarks earlier this year during his own trip to Greenland, insisting the island “is not to be sold.” Barrot’s visit included meetings with local officials and a French naval presence, underscoring Europe’s commitment to Greenland’s autonomy.
European officials argue that Trump’s approach risks destabilizing long-standing alliances. France has framed its opposition as a defense of lawful order, cooperation, and national sovereignty in the face of great-power coercion. The warning signals growing friction between Washington and European capitals over how to navigate the Arctic’s rising strategic importance.
Greenland’s position along new Arctic shipping routes and its untapped mineral wealth make it a high-stakes geopolitical prize. France’s warnings highlight fears that unchecked competition could accelerate global instability at a time when nations are already grappling with conflicts and shifting alliances.
