Donald Trump reiterates that the United States needs Greenland for national security, warning of Russian and Chinese influence, defending US strategic interests, and refusing to rule out options after high-level talks with Denmark and Greenland officials.
Former US President Donald Trump has once again underscored his long-standing position that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, reviving a geopolitical debate that has resurfaced repeatedly over decades. Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting at the White House involving US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials, Trump emphasized that Greenland’s strategic value is central not only to American defense planning but also to European security.
“We need Greenland for national security,” Trump said, stressing that the issue remains under active review at the highest levels of the US government. While he did not announce any immediate policy decisions or concrete steps, Trump made it clear that discussions are ongoing and that he is unwilling to rule out any future options.
The comments came following a White House meeting attended by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland’s top diplomat, Vivian Motzfeldt. Trump said he expected to receive a detailed briefing immediately after the meeting to assess the discussions and determine next steps.
According to Trump, Greenland’s geographical position in the Arctic makes it uniquely significant in the context of modern global security challenges. “Greenland is very important for national security,” he said. “And that includes for Europe.” He linked the island’s importance to broader US defense initiatives, including what he described as the “Golden Dome” project, suggesting that Greenland plays a critical role in emerging missile defense and early-warning systems.
Despite acknowledging strong diplomatic ties with Denmark, Trump questioned Copenhagen’s ability to adequately protect Greenland against growing interest from rival global powers. “We have a very good relationship with Denmark,” Trump said, adding, “We’ll see what happens.” However, he argued that Denmark lacks the military capacity to independently secure Greenland in the face of potential threats.
Trump warned that failure by the United States to take a more assertive role could create an opening for adversarial nations. “If we don’t go in, Russia is going to go in, and China is going to go in,” he said. “And there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it.” These remarks reflect broader concerns within US strategic circles about increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, driven by climate change, shipping routes, and access to natural resources.
When pressed by reporters on whether the United States might seek to acquire Greenland by force, Trump rejected the premise of the question but did not provide reassurance. “Well, you’re saying that,” he replied. “You don’t know what I’m going to do.” He reiterated that he would not outline specific strategies or options publicly. “I wouldn’t be telling you what I’m willing to do,” Trump said. “Certainly, I’m not going to give up options.”
Trump also dismissed suggestions that a more aggressive US posture toward Greenland could damage the NATO alliance. Asked whether he would consider leaving NATO to pursue US objectives related to Greenland, Trump rejected the idea outright. “I have a very good relationship with Denmark,” he said again, emphasizing that cooperation remains possible within existing alliances.
However, Trump openly criticized what he described as Denmark’s limited defensive efforts in Greenland. “I can’t rely on Denmark being able to fend themselves off,” he said. Mocking recent Danish measures, Trump added, “They were talking about they put an extra dog sled there last month. They added a second dog sled. That’s not going to do the trick.”
Trump argued that US interest in Greenland is not a recent development but part of a long historical pattern. He pointed out that the idea dates back more than a century. “This was talked about by President Truman,” Trump said. “Forty years before President Truman, they were talking about it. They’ve been talking about this for a hundred years.”
He also cited discussions with NATO leadership, claiming that there is support within the alliance for a stronger approach. Trump said he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and suggested that the issue is being taken seriously at the international level. “He really wants to see something happen,” Trump claimed.
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The renewed controversy follows remarks by Greenland’s foreign minister, who described recent talks in Washington as respectful but firm, noting that Greenland’s leadership had conveyed clear limits regarding sovereignty. Trump said he would review those comments after receiving his briefing.
As geopolitical competition intensifies in the Arctic, Trump’s remarks signal that Greenland will remain a focal point of US strategic thinking, with national security considerations continuing to drive the debate.
