We are not thrilled that the NATO secretary general jokes with Trump about Greenland,” Jarlov said on the social media platform X. He added that attempts to annex Greenland would mean war between two NATO countries.

It’s always hard to know if Trump means what he says—how far he is willing to take his words—or if he’s simply saying things to steer public debate where he wants. Yet, what happened yesterday belongs to the category of Trump’s statements that raise concern anyway.

Greenlanders are going to the polls for a crucial general election on Tuesday, with a push for independence a key issue after US President Donald Trump repeated his threat to take over the island.