The reaction in the corridors of power in Moscow and Beijing will have been one of undisguised glee. Donald Trump has again turned on Europe – imposing sweeping tariffs on allies, including Britain, in his quest to acquire Greenland.

The maverick US president insists he needs the island to counter Russia and China in the strategic Arctic region. He has refused to rule out a military annexation.

Danish military forces join hundreds of troops from European NATO members to conduct exercises in the Arctic Ocean off the Greenland coast in September.Credit: AP

In a bid to appease Trump – and perhaps to shame him into de-escalating the diplomatic crisis – the UK, Denmark, France, Germany and other NATO allies sent troops to Greenland. It was meant to show that NATO was serious about Arctic security. Instead, it has left the alliance at risk of collapse for the first time since its formation after the Second World War.

Trump wrote on social media: “These countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a........

© The Sydney Morning Herald