Members of the US Military are forbidden from following unethical and illegal orders. They are called illegal orders.

Background

In early January 2026, the Trump administration threatened military action to take control of Greenland, with Trump ordering the Joint Special Operations Command to make plans for a "possible invasion of Greenland." Denmark's Ministry of Defence confirmed that Danish troops would immediately respond to an invasion of Greenland with force, and the chair of the Defence Committee stated Denmark would invoke Article 5 of NATO if attacked by the US.

In the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark, the US unambiguously recognizes 'the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark' over Greenland. While Denmark retains sovereignty, the 2009 Self-Government Act recognizes Greenlanders as a people under international law with a right to self-determination. A joint statement published by all parties in the Parliament of Greenland demanded that the US show respect and stated they do not want to become part of the US.

Considerations

International law prohibits the acquisition of territory through force or the threat of force (Article 2(4) UN Charter). EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius said a US invasion of Greenland would be the end of NATO and that EU members would be under obligation to come to Denmark's assistance. This question asks traders to evaluate the ethical and moral dimensions of such an action, which may involve considerations of international law, sovereignty, self-determination, and the consequences of violating NATO commitments.