President Donald Trump has insisted that the United States must “own” Greenland to stop Russia and China from gaining influence in the Arctic region.
“Countries have to have ownership, and you defend ownership; you don’t defend leases. And we’ll have to defend Greenland,” Trump told reporters on Friday, answering a question from the BBC.
The president warned that the US would pursue control of Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way,” highlighting Washington’s ongoing interest in the territory, which is part of NATO-member Denmark. The White House has confirmed it is studying the possibility of buying Greenland, though it has not dismissed the use of military options.
Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly stated the territory is not for sale. Danish officials have warned that any attempt at force could threaten the NATO alliance.
Despite its low population, Greenland’s strategic position between North America and the Arctic makes it key for early warning systems against missile threats and monitoring regional maritime activity. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without providing evidence, that the island is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland, with over 100 personnel stationed at the Pituffik base in the northwest, a facility operated by the US since World War Two.
Existing agreements allow the US to send additional troops as needed.
Trump criticized lease arrangements, saying, “Countries can’t make nine-year deals or even 100-year deals.” He added, “I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia. But I don’t want them as a neighbour in Greenland; it’s not going to happen.” He concluded, “And by the way, Nato’s got to understand that.”
Denmark’s NATO allies, including major European nations and Canada, have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing that decisions on the territory rest with the local authorities. They stressed that Arctic security must be maintained collectively and in accordance with the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and borders.
Concerns about Greenland grew after Trump’s recent military action in Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro. Trump had previously attempted to purchase the island in 2019 but was refused. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Danish officials next week to discuss the issue.
Greenland has attracted attention due to its natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, iron, and possible oil and gas reserves, which are increasingly accessible as climate change melts the ice.
In response, Greenland’s political leaders issued a statement Friday night calling for respect for their autonomy. “We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” they said. “The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people.”
