Economist Podcasts Thin ice: could the Greenland clash kill NATO?
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Jan 19, 2026 
Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, dives into the geopolitical whirlpool over Greenland, examining Trump's proposed 10% tariffs on NATO allies opposing his acquisition plans. He discusses the intricate motives behind the Greenland dispute, from missile defense to resource control. Joshi highlights America's pivotal role in the crisis, its implications for Ukraine, and why Europe remains dependent on U.S. military support. He argues for greater European defense autonomy while cautioning about existing dependencies.
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Motives Behind The Greenland Push
- Trump's push to buy Greenland has shifted from strategic to personal and resource-driven motives.
- Shashank Joshi suggests the request mixes missile-defense logic with a desire for territorial expansion and resources.
Why This NATO Fight Feels Different
- Threats to NATO from a US dispute over Greenland are unprecedented because America underpins alliance military capability.
- Joshi warns that undermining US reliability risks an existential erosion of trust in Article 5.
Europe's Paradoxical Dependence
- European leaders face a paradox: they resent US intimidation yet still need American support against Russia.
- Joshi argues this contradiction highlights Europe's dependence and eroding faith in US commitments.