President Donald Trump has said the United States needs to own” Greenland to stop Russia and China from gaining control over it. He made this clear while answering questions from reporters.
Explaining his position, Trump said, “Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don’t defend leases. And we’ll have to defend Greenland.” He added that the US could do this “the easy way” or “the hard way.”
The White House has already said it is looking at the option of buying Greenland from Denmark, which controls the territory. At the same time, it has not ruled out the possibility of taking it by force.
What Has Denmark Warned About Military Action?
Denmark and Greenland have both strongly said the island is not for sale. Danish officials have warned that any military action would seriously damage the trans-Atlantic defence alliance.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, but it has its own political leaders. They have clearly said they do not want to be taken over by another country.
Why Greenland Matters to the US
Even though Greenland has a small population, its location is extremely important. It sits between North America and the Arctic, making it useful for early warning systems in case of missile attacks. It is also important for watching ships moving through the Arctic region.
Trump has repeatedly called Greenland vital to US security. He even claimed, without giving evidence, that the island was “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
The US Already Has a Military Presence
The United States already has more than 100 military personnel stationed at its Pituffik base in north-western Greenland. The base has been operated by the US since World War Two.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US is allowed to send as many troops as it wants to Greenland. However, Trump says this is not enough.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, he said lease agreements do not provide enough protection. “Countries can’t make nine-year deals or even 100-year deals,” he said, explaining again that full ownership is what matters.
Trump Warns Russia and China
Trump said he does not want Russia or China becoming neighbours of the US in Greenland. He said, “I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia. But I don’t want them as a neighbour in Greenland, not going to happen.”
He also added that Nato must understand his position, saying, “And by the way Nato’s got to understand that.”
Nato Allies Support Denmark
Denmark’s Nato partners, including major European countries and Canada, have publicly supported Denmark. They said that only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide what happens to the territory.
They also stressed that Arctic security should be handled by allies working together, not by one country acting alone. They called for respect for international rules, including sovereignty and territorial borders.
Tensions Grow After Venezuela Operation
Concerns about Greenland increased after Trump used military force in Venezuela to capture its president, Nicolás Maduro. This made many countries worry that Greenland could be next.
Trump had earlier tried to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term, but Denmark and Greenland rejected the offer at that time as well. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to hold talks with Denmark next week as the dispute continues.
Greenland’s Natural Resources Draw Attention
Greenland has become more important in recent years because of its natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. As the ice melts due to climate change, these resources are becoming easier to reach. Scientists also believe the island may hold large amounts of oil and gas.
Greenland Leaders Speak Out
Greenland’s political parties, including those in opposition, released a joint statement asking the US to stop disrespecting their country. They said they want the “US’s disregard for our country to end.”
They made their position very clear, saying, “We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.” They also added, “The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people.”
