Speaking after a meeting involving senior officials from the US, Denmark and Greenland, Trump said Greenland’s strategic location made it indispensable for the Golden Dome project, a space- and satellite-based missile defence system modelled partly on Israel’s Iron Dome. “It’s very important for our security,” Trump said, adding that “something will work out” regarding Greenland’s future status.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, ended without any formal agreement. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Viviane Motzfeldt made clear that while Nuuk is open to deeper cooperation with Washington, sovereignty is non-negotiable. “Strengthening our cooperation with the United States is fine for us,” she said. “But that does not mean we want to be owned by the United States.”
Trump later warned that if Washington did not secure Greenland, rival powers such as Russia or China might expand their influence in the Arctic. He suggested NATO should assist the US in acquiring the island, arguing that American control would strengthen the alliance. His remarks have unsettled NATO partners, who fear an unprecedented dispute within the bloc.
Denmark, which retains responsibility for Greenland’s defence and foreign policy, rejected Trump’s claims of an imminent threat from Beijing or Moscow. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said intelligence assessments did not support the assertion that Chinese or Russian warships routinely operate near Greenland. “There is no immediate threat from China or Russia,” he said, while acknowledging that Arctic security dynamics are evolving.
Amid the diplomatic tension, several NATO countries—including Germany, France, Sweden and Norway—have announced limited troop deployments to Greenland for joint exercises with Danish forces. Denmark said it is expanding its military presence on the island “in close cooperation with NATO allies” to reinforce surveillance and search-and-rescue capabilities.
All sides agreed to establish a joint working group to continue discussions on Arctic security and cooperation in the coming weeks. However, Rasmussen reiterated that Denmark opposes any US attempt to buy or take over Greenland, while remaining open to enhanced defence collaboration, including the possible expansion of American military facilities.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen underscored the island’s position, stating that if forced to choose, Greenland would stand with Denmark. Trump dismissed the remark, saying he disagreed and warning it could complicate relations.
The dispute comes as Trump accelerates plans for the $175 billion Golden Dome system, which would rely on hundreds of satellites to detect and intercept missiles globally. With Greenland hosting the strategically critical Pituffik Space Base, the island has once again emerged as a focal point in the rapidly intensifying geopolitics of the Arctic.
