NUUK, Greenland — President Donald Trump emphasized the strategic importance of Greenland for U.S. national security, urging NATO to support the United States in acquiring the island. Trump’s comments came ahead of a scheduled meeting between Vice President JD Vance and officials from Denmark and Greenland.
On his social media platform, Trump reiterated the necessity of Greenland for national security purposes, stating that “NATO should be leading the way for us to get it.” He warned against the possibility of Russia or China gaining control over the island, declaring, “AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”
Trump further asserted that NATO’s strength would be significantly enhanced with Greenland under U.S. control, labeling any alternative scenario as “unacceptable.”
Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark, a NATO ally, is at the heart of a geopolitical conflict due to Trump’s interest in acquiring it. Despite the U.S.’s intentions, the inhabitants of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, have made it clear that the island is not for sale. The White House has not dismissed the possibility of forcibly taking the Arctic island.
Vice President Vance, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is set to engage in discussions with Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt in Washington.
Greenland’s Stance on U.S. Interests
In Nuuk, international media have sought opinions from local residents on the situation, which Denmark’s prime minister cautioned could threaten NATO’s stability. Tuuta Mikaelsen, a student, expressed hope that U.S. officials would “back off.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated in Copenhagen, “if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU.”
When asked about Nielsen’s statement, Trump responded, “I disagree with him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know anything about him. But, that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Greenland’s strategic value has increased as climate change opens shorter trade routes to Asia and facilitates the extraction of critical minerals essential for technology.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the need for NATO to enhance its security role in the Arctic, indicating Denmark’s intention to strengthen its military presence in Greenland.
Trump highlighted Greenland’s significance to the U.S. Golden Dome missile defense program and cited threats from Russian and Chinese ships, though these claims are questioned by experts and locals.
Local resident Lars Vintner commented on the absence of Russian or Chinese ships, stating, “The only Chinese I see is when I go to the fast food market.” His friend, Hans Nørgaard, described Trump’s claims as “fantasy.”
Denmark permits the U.S. to expand its military bases in Greenland, leading Vintner to suggest that security concerns are a pretext for Trump’s interest in exploiting Greenland’s resources.
Nørgaard reported Trump’s “aggressive” actions to the police, alleging threats against Greenland’s people and NATO.
Mikaelsen noted the benefits Greenland receives from Denmark, such as free healthcare and education, asserting, “I don’t want the U.S. to take that away from us.”
Further Diplomatic Engagements
Post-White House talks, officials from Denmark and Greenland, along with Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., are scheduled to meet with Arctic Caucus senators. Legislation has been proposed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lisa Murkowski to prevent U.S. funds from being used to annex Greenland without consent.
A bipartisan delegation is set to visit Copenhagen to converse with Danish and Greenlandic leaders.
European allies of Denmark, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, affirmed that Greenland’s future is for Denmark and Greenland alone to decide.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced plans to open a consulate in Greenland, affirming, “Attacking another NATO member would make no sense; it would even be contrary to the interests of the United States. And I’m hearing more and more voices in the United States saying this.”
