Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump said Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic makes it vital for US defence, pointing to increased Russian and Chinese maritime activity in the region. He reiterated earlier remarks made to The Atlantic, arguing that American control over Greenland would strengthen security and surveillance capabilities in the High North.
Denmark swiftly rejected the suggestion. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the idea of the United States taking over Greenland “absurd” and urged Washington to stop issuing threats against a close ally. She stressed that Greenland is an integral part of the Danish kingdom and that its people have repeatedly made clear that the territory is not for sale.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also condemned Trump’s comments, describing them as false and disrespectful. He dismissed attempts to link Greenland to recent US military actions elsewhere and said there was no cause for alarm. “Greenland is a democratic society with strong institutions and independent elections,” Nielsen said, adding that the island’s status is governed by international law and long-standing agreements.
Tensions intensified after a social media post by Katie Miller, wife of senior White House official Stephen Miller, showed a map of Greenland coloured in the US flag with the caption “soon.” The post sparked criticism in Denmark and Greenland, where officials said such imagery fuels unnecessary anxiety about American intentions.
Greenland’s importance to Washington is rooted in both security and economics. The Arctic territory hosts key US military infrastructure used for missile warning and space surveillance. As climate change accelerates Arctic ice melt, Greenland’s position along emerging shipping routes has further increased its strategic value. The island is also believed to hold significant reserves of rare earth minerals, oil and gas—resources critical to future energy and technology supply chains.
Denmark, a founding member of NATO, and Greenland fall under the alliance’s collective defence framework. A 1951 defence agreement allows US military access to Greenland, a point Copenhagen says already addresses Washington’s security needs without infringing on sovereignty.
Analysts warn that Trump’s renewed rhetoric risks straining relations within NATO at a time of heightened geopolitical tension. With Denmark and Greenland firmly rejecting any notion of a sale or takeover, the dispute underscores broader concerns among US allies about the direction and tone of American foreign policy under Trump’s second term.
