Trump Advocates for U.S. Ownership of Greenland Amidst Geopolitical Tensions

Sat Jan 10 2026 21:37:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a provocative statement, President Trump insists the U.S. must 'own' Greenland to counteract Russian and Chinese influence, raising concerns about international relations.

President Donald Trump has proposed that the U.S. should take ownership of Greenland as a strategic move to prevent Russia and China from establishing a foothold in the region. Despite Greenland and Denmark rejecting the notion of sale or annexation, Trump expressed his belief that ownership is crucial for national security amidst increasing military competition. This comes in light of heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed interest in Greenland’s natural resources due to climate change.

President Donald Trump says the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so.

Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases and we'll have to defend Greenland, Trump told reporters on Friday.

We will do it the easy way or the hard way, Trump said - a comment that follows recent statements by the White House that the administration is considering buying the semi-autonomous territory of fellow Nato country Denmark, but not removing the option of annexing it to the US by force.

Denmark and Greenland say the territory is not for sale. Denmark has said military action would spell the end of the trans-Atlantic defence alliance.

Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.

The US president has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to US national security, claiming without evidence that it was covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.

The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.

But speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said a lease agreement was not good enough.

Countries can't make nine-year deals or even 100-year deals, he said, adding that they had to have ownership.

I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia, Trump said. But I don't want them as a neighbour in Greenland, not going to happen.

And by the way Nato's got to understand that, the US president added.

Denmark's Nato allies - major European countries as well as Canada - have rallied to its support this week with statements reaffirming that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.

Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its president, Nicolás Maduro.

Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is to hold talks with Denmark next week.

In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change.