Trump vows to pursue Greenland deal the hard way
Trump says controlling mineral-rich Greenland is vital for U.S. security as Russian and Chinese military activity intensifies in the Arctic.
Washington — US President Donald Trump has once again ignited international controversy by suggesting that the United States could use force to take control of Greenland, openly brushing aside Denmark’s sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic island and framing the issue as a matter of American national security.
Speaking at the White House on Friday during a meeting with oil executives, Trump made it clear that he believes Greenland is too strategically important for the US to ignore. “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” he said, using blunt language that immediately alarmed European allies and reignited a debate that first surfaced during his earlier term in office.
When asked whether the United States would seek to acquire Greenland through negotiations, Trump said he preferred diplomacy but left the door wide open to more aggressive measures.
Trump justified his stance by pointing to the island’s growing strategic importance. Rich in minerals and located along critical Arctic routes, Greenland has become increasingly significant as melting ice opens new shipping lanes and access to natural resources. Trump argued that rising military activity by Russia and China in the Arctic makes US control of Greenland essential.
While both Russia and China have expanded their Arctic presence in recent years, neither country has laid any formal claim to Greenland. Nonetheless, Trump has repeatedly portrayed the situation as urgent, suggesting that delay could leave the US vulnerable in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Denmark and several European allies reacted with shock and anger. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning, saying that any attempt to invade or seize Greenland would effectively end NATO as it is known today and dismantle the post–World War II security order. Her comments reflected deep concern that Trump’s rhetoric undermines trust between long-standing allies.
Despite the backlash, Trump appeared dismissive of Danish concerns. He described himself as a supporter of Denmark and praised the country as a friendly ally, but then questioned the basis of its claim to Greenland.
European leaders have rallied behind Denmark, emphasizing that Greenland’s status is not up for negotiation by outside powers. They have stressed that any discussions about the island’s future must respect international law and the right of Greenland’s people to decide their own path.
The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland through an airbase that plays a key role in missile defense and Arctic surveillance. Analysts say this existing cooperation underscores how extraordinary Trump’s threats are, given that Washington already enjoys significant strategic access without challenging sovereignty.
Amid the growing diplomatic storm, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Danish officials and representatives from Greenland next week in an effort to calm tensions and reaffirm dialogue. However, Trump’s remarks have left many allies uneasy, raising fresh questions about America’s commitment to alliance norms, sovereignty, and the rules-based international order.