Trump says US control of Greenland is needed to counter Russia and China
President Donald Trump said the United States must take control of Greenland to stop Russia and China from gaining influence there.
Trump said on Friday, “Countries have to own it, and you have to protect the ownership; you have to protect the lease. And we have to protect Greenland.”
He said they would do it “the easy way” or “the hard way.” The White House recently said the administration was considering buying the semi-autonomous territory from NATO ally Denmark but would not rule out the option of seizing it by force.
Denmark and Greenland say the territory is not for sale. Denmark has said that military action would destroy the transatlantic defense alliance.
Despite being the least populated territory, Greenland’s location between North America and the Arctic makes it ideal for early warning systems and monitoring ships in the area in the event of a missile attack.
The US president has repeatedly said that Greenland is crucial to US national security, claiming without evidence that it is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships everywhere.”
More than 100 US military personnel are permanently stationed at the Thule Air Base on the northwestern tip of Greenland—a base the US has operated since World War II.
Under the current agreement with Denmark, the US has the right to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland. But speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the lease agreement was not sufficient.
He said, “Countries can’t make nine-year or 100-year deals,” and added that they should have ownership.
“I like the people of China. I like the people of Russia,” Trump said. “But I don’t want them as neighbors in Greenland. That’s not going to happen.” “And by the way, NATO has to understand that,” the US president added.
Denmark’s NATO allies—along with major European countries and Canada—have backed Denmark this week, issuing statements saying that “only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters relating to their relationship.”
He emphasized that they are just as concerned about Arctic security as the US and said that it must be achieved “together” with the US and other allies.
He also called for “upholding the principles of the UN Charter,” which include sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.
Concerns about the future of the region resurfaced on Saturday after Trump suggested using military force to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump had previously proposed buying the island during his first presidential term in 2019 but was told it was not for sale. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to hold talks with Denmark next week.
In recent years, interest has also grown in Greenland’s natural resources—including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron—which are becoming more accessible as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists believe it may also hold large reserves of oil and gas.
In a joint statement Friday night, Greenlandic party leaders, including those from the opposition, reiterated their demand for the US to “end its disrespect towards our country.”
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” they said. “The future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland.”
