A former Tory MP and defence expert has suggested that US troops could refuse to invade Greenland, and “it would be interesting to see if US troops followed orders” if President Donald Trump decides on military action. 

Tobias Ellwood told the Daily Express: “European troops would fold. America remains the most formidable military force in the world by some margin. The idea that European nations could take on America….it would lead to a point of no return for generations. It would be interesting to see if US troops followed orders because there is a big legal row over whether this is allowed.

“Imagine being an American soldier and being told ‘your enemy is now the British’, and you potentially have to kill men you’ve trained with. This is the sort of NATO civil war you don’t even want to contemplate.”

He added: “Invading Greenland plays completely into China and Russia‘s hands, and they will be enjoying this fight between NATO allies.

“Now NATO is about to splinter and fragment, and this won’t help America in the long run. If we have to handle Russia alone, we won’t be there. That will weaken America long term.”

Today (Friday January 16), President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries not supporting his desire to acquire Greenland.

He told reporters: “I may put a tariff on countries that don’t go along with Greenland. We need Greenland for national security, so I may do that.”

Danish foreign ministers said Copenhagen and Washington were in “fundamental disagreement” over the future of Greenland following their White House talks on Wednesday. Large demonstrations are planned across Denmark and Greenland on Saturday to protest against Trump’s territorial ambitions. Thousands of people have said on social media they will take part in the protests organised by Greenlandic associations in Nuuk and Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense.