Denmark could shoot first and ask questions later if Donald Trump acts on his threats to invade Greenland, according to a decades-old military rule.
The Danish defence ministry confirmed the existence of the long-standing rule, which says soldiers would "immediately" launch a counter-attack "without seeking orders".
According to The Telegraph citing local media, the rule, dating back to 1952, says if an invasion were to occur, "the attacked forces must immediately take up the fight without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders in question are not aware of the declaration of war or state of war".
The Danish defence ministry stated: "The order on precautionary measures for military defence in the event of attacks on the country and during war, remains in force."
President Trump has in recent days repeated he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency.
He argues the island is key to US military strategy and claims Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
The White House said on Tuesday that President Trump was discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the US military, in a revival of his ambition to control the strategic island.
European allies are working closely on a plan on how to respond should the US act on its threat.
Danish troops could 'immediately' launch a counter attack in the event of an invasion
|REUTERS
If the US military were to seize Greenland from a longtime ally, Denmark, it would likely send shock waves through the Nato alliance and could deepen the divide between President Trump and European leaders.
A German government source said that Germany was "closely working together with other European countries and Denmark on the next steps regarding Greenland".
A senior European official said Denmark must lead the effort to coordinate a response, but "the Danes have yet to communicate to their European allies what kind of concrete support they wish to receive," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The US was responsible for carrying out a military operation over the weekend, which saw the leader of Venezuela seized, which had already rekindled concerns that Greenland might face a similar scenario.
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President Trump has in recent days repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland | REUTERSA senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said this week that President Trump and his advisers were discussing a variety of ways to acquire Greenland, including a purchase.
Greenland and Denmark have said the island is not for sale.
Amid European objections to his potential plans, President Trump said the US would "always be there for Nato".
"We will always be there for Nato, even if they won’t be there for us," he wrote in a post to Truth Social.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he will meet with Danish officials next week.
"I'll be meeting with them next week," he told reporters.
"We'll have those conversations with them then."
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