'Poorly run, piece of ice': Trump targets Greenland again as Iran war deepens NATO rift

U.S.

President Donald Trump appears to have set his eyes on Greenland again while venting frustration at NATO, as the diplomatic fallout from Iran war exposes rifts in Washington's ties with the security alliance.In a Truth Social post Wednesday evening stateside, Trump said that "NATO WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON'T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!"The latest broadside comes after Trump announced a 2-week ceasefire after more than a month of fighting with Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not joining the war effort in Iran, saying his call for action was "a great test," while threatening to pull out of the alliance. Trump has taken aim at NATO and Greenland in recent days. "It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland," Trump told reporters at a White House press conference Monday. "We want Greenland. They don't want to give it to us. And I said, 'bye, bye.'"U.S. relations with European allies have frayed after Trump threatened tariffs on European countries and signaled military action to acquire Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. In January, Trump said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had reached "the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland." The Iran war has brought fresh tensions in the diplomatic ties, as several NATO members have resisted supporting the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, denying American military aircraft use of their airspace and declining to contribute naval forces to efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz to energy shipping. Trump's comments Wednesday followed a meeting with Rutte at the White House earlier in the day, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reportedly saying that NATO had "turned their backs on the American people."Rutte acknowledged the friction, in an interview with CNN following the meeting, saying that "He is clearly disappointed with many NATO allies, and I can see his point."Last week, Trump called NATO a "paper tiger" and said he was "absolutely" considering to withdraw from the 32-member alliance, arguing that European members have relied on U.S. security guarantees while offering inadequate support when Washington needed them most. "Trump can't attack the alliance forever without making it hollow," said Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy, as Iran was "testing unity" by offering Spain and Turkey waivers to get their oil via the Strait of Hormuz. Alongside Trump's remarks, the Pentagon timed leaks on new military activities in Greenland, Feller said referring to a New York Times report earlier this month on the Pentagon looking for military expansion in Greenland. The U.S. was in talks with Denmark for access to three additional bases in Greenland, in what would be the first U.S. expansion there in decades, according to the report. "This doesn't augur invasion, but is likely designed to intimidate," Feller said. Meanwhile, less than 24 hours into the truce with Iran, the country's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Washington had violated the terms of the ceasefire deal. Israel reportedly launched its heaviest strikes yet on Lebanon, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat from Iran, saying that it would be "unreasonable" to proceed with peace talks with the U.S., underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire agreement. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you.Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inboxGet this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.© 2026 Versant Media, LLC.

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