Trump & Greenland: US Acquisition Talk Heats Up 🇺🇸🧊

President Donald Trump stated Sunday that the United States would acquire Greenland “one way or the other,” citing national security concerns and warning that Russia and China would move to fill any void left by the U.S.

Trump’s Pursuit of Greenland

Trump said controlling the mineral-rich Danish territory is crucial given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. “If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite neither country currently laying claim to the island.

The President indicated openness to a deal with the Danish self-governing territory, but reiterated his determination to acquire Greenland, “one way or the other.” Denmark and other European allies have expressed shock at Trump’s statements regarding the island, which holds strategic importance between North America and the Arctic, and has hosted a U.S. military base since World War II.

Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 and gained home rule 26 years later, and is considering further loosening ties with Denmark. However, the vast majority of Greenland’s population and political parties have indicated they do not want to be under U.S. control, and insist that Greenlanders should determine their own future.

“Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” Trump warned, while also deriding Greenland’s defense capabilities. He stated, “You know what their defence is, two dog sleds,” contrasting it with the presence of “destroyers and submarines” from Russia and China.

Denmark’s prime minister previously warned that a U.S. attempt to take Greenland by force would jeopardize 80 years of transatlantic security cooperation. Trump dismissed this concern, stating that if it affects NATO, it affects NATO, but also asserted that “Greenlanders need us much more than we need them.”