President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland has sparked a backlash from Republicans in Congress, as lawmakers voice growing concern about US military interventions overseas.
But it remains unclear if enough Republicans are willing to join Democrats to block a takeover of the island territory - and whether Trump would bow to pressure from Congress, or act alone as he's done several times in a second term marked by growing American entanglements abroad.
The focus on Greenland has grown into a broader discussion over the Trump administration's unilateral use of military force, along with diplomatic and economic coercion, to project power in Venezuela, Iran and elsewhere around the world.
Republicans have largely backed Trump's foreign policy agenda since he returned to the White House. But now, a growing number are siding with Democrats in Congress and NATO allies who say a takeover of Greenland would violate US and international law.
In recent days, some Republican leaders have said there's little interest in the US buying Greenland or seizing it through military force. The White House had previously left the military option on the table but has since been ruled out by Trump during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Some Republican lawmakers have also joined Democrats in opposing Trump's new plan to impose tariffs on nations that don't support the acquisition of Greenland, a territory controlled by Denmark but largely self-governing.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina insisted that tariffs would ultimately benefit adversaries like China and Russia and undermine NATO. Others, like Senator Lisa Murkowski, emphasized the importance of respecting Greenland's sovereignty.
Despite these warnings, Trump remains adamant that acquiring Greenland is vital for US competitiveness against China and Russia in the Arctic region. He hinted at taking action one way or another to secure the territory.
With increasing opposition from within his own party, Trump's ambition to annex Greenland has been met with the prospect of bipartisan Congressional efforts to curb his plans. Observers note that any acquisition would require Congressional approval, leading to a potential standoff.
Trump's insistence has given rise to discussions about executive power and whether he might circumvent Congress to attempt a more informal arrangement. However, experts remain skeptical about the legality and effectiveness of such an approach, especially regarding an issue as complex as the ownership of Greenland.
As the debate intensifies, many lawmakers express concern about the implications of a potential military incursion in Greenland, and various proposals are being floated to require Congressional approval for any such actions, though their success remains uncertain.
Overall, Trump's Greenland ambitions continue to stir controversy, exemplifying a notable fracture within the Republican party and raising questions about the future of US international relations.
