Donald Trump turned up the heat on international tensions this week by publicly sharing private messages from the leaders of NATO and France — on the same heels of leaked correspondence with Norway’s prime minister that triggered a major diplomatic uproar across Europe.
The US president posted a flattering note from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on his Truth Social platform, in which Rutte pledged to champion Trump’s policies in Gaza and Ukraine at the World Economic Forum, per the Independent.
“I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Can't wait to see you. Yours, Mark,” the message said.
Trump also posted a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron, in which Macron proposed a meeting and dinner in Paris — even as Trump threatened France with steep tariffs on French wine over Macron’s refusal to join his so‑called Board of Peace.
The Leaks Stir More Controversy — Trump’s Response Unseen
Trump’s reply, if any, was not included in the screenshots. The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
The timing of the messages adds fuel to an already blazing row, which saw Trump link his push to take control of Greenland to his failure to secure the Nobel Peace Prize.
The president has made clear he no longer thinks “purely of Peace,” even as the Greenland dispute threatens to reignite trade tensions with European allies.
NATO Chief’s Rave Review of Trump’s Syria Efforts
The message from Rutte lauded the US president’s actions in Syria — following a ceasefire agreement with Kurdish‑led forces.
The full message read: “Mr. President, dear Donald - what you accomplished in Syria today is incredible. I will use my media engagements in Davos to highlight your work there, in Gaza, and in Ukraine. I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Can't wait to see you. Yours, Mark”
Rutte’s enthusiastic praise isn’t new — last summer he made headlines for defending Trump’s approach to the Israel‑Iran conflict, saying: “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop.”
Macron’s Message Questions Trump on Greenland
In the message from President Macron, the French leader sounded both cooperative and concerned, especially about Trump’s Greenland ambitions.
Macron wrote: “My friend, We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things: 1) i can set up a g7 meeting after Davos in Paris on thursday afternoon.
“I can invite the ukrainians, the danish, the syrians and the russians in the margins 2) let us have a dinner together in Paris together on thursday before you go back to the us. Emmanuel.”
Tensions Over Greenland Heat Up With AI Images, Tariff Threats
Trump has been sharing inflammatory AI‑generated images as the standoff over Greenland’s future grows. One image depicted him speaking with European leaders in the White House, with the American flag emblazoned over Greenland and Canada.
As concerns swirl about how far Trump might go to seize the territory, he declined to tell NBC News whether he would use force — but he doubled down on his tariff threats if a deal isn’t reached.
Danish Forces Land in Greenland — Trump Shrugs It Off
Denmark’s military told Reuters that Danish soldiers were set to land in Kangerlussuaq, western Greenland, on Monday as part of the Arctic Endurance exercise — but Trump downplayed the deployment.
“That wasn't a military," Trump said to reporters in Florida before boarding a flight back to Washington, DC. “They sent a few people, and they say they sent them not for me, but to guard against Russia.
“But you know, Nato has been warning Denmark for about 20 years now, longer than that, 25 years, they've been warning Denmark about the Russian threat, and it's not only Russia, it's also China."
Trump has dramatically intensified his push to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from Denmark — a fellow NATO member — prompting the European Union to contemplate retaliatory measures.
The dispute threatens to upend the NATO alliance that has anchored Western security for decades, already stretched by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Trump’s insistence that allies increase defense spending or face consequences.
Trump Threatens Tariffs on EU and Nordic Countries
On Saturday, President Trump vowed to impose escalating tariffs starting February 1 on EU members Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, along with Britain and Norway — until the United States is permitted to purchase Greenland, a territory of about 57,000 residents.
In response, EU leaders have scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss potential countermeasures. One option is a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros ($108 billion) of U.S. imports that could automatically take effect on February 6 after the suspension period expires.
Another is activating the Anti‑Coercion Instrument (ACI) — a tool never before used — which could limit access to public contracts, restrict investment or banking access, or curb trade in services, including digital services where the U.S. enjoys a surplus.