The White House said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump is actively discussing ways to acquire Greenland, including the possible use of military force, reviving a long-standing ambition to bring the strategically located Arctic island under American control despite strong opposition from Europe.
According to a White House statement, Trump considers the acquisition of Greenland a national security priority, arguing that it is necessary to deter rival powers in the Arctic region.“The president and his team are exploring a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy objective, and of course, the use of the US military is always an option available to the commander-in-chief,” the statement said.Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly stated that it does not wish to become part of the United States. On Tuesday, leaders from major European countries and Canada voiced their support for Greenland, emphasizing that the island belongs to its people.
Any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland militarily from Denmark, a long-time Nato ally, would send shockwaves through the alliance and further strain already tense relations between Trump and European leaders.
Despite the strong international backlash, Trump has continued to examine ways to turn Greenland into a key US strategic hub at a time of growing Russian and Chinese interest in the Arctic. His interest in the island dates back to 2019, during his first term in office, and has resurfaced in recent days following the US arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Buoyed by Maduro’s capture last weekend, Trump has expressed confidence that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will no longer be challenged and has stepped up pressure on countries including Colombia and Cuba. After months of sidelining the Greenland issue, he has now returned to it with renewed focus.A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal discussions, said Trump and his advisers are considering several possible approaches to acquiring Greenland.
These include the outright purchase of the island or the establishment of a Compact of Free Association (COFA), an arrangement that would stop short of making Greenland a formal part of the United States.
The official did not disclose any potential purchase price.“Diplomacy is always the president’s first option. He is a dealmaker and prefers negotiated outcomes,” the official said. “If a favorable deal to acquire Greenland can be reached, that would be his instinctive approach.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers during a classified briefing late on Monday that recent administration rhetoric did not indicate an imminent invasion. Instead, Rubio said the administration’s objective remains purchasing the territory from Denmark, according to two sources familiar with the briefing. The Wall Street Journal first reported his remarks.
The administration’s comments have drawn criticism from members of Congress, including some Republicans, who stressed Denmark’s role as a reliable Nato ally.“When Denmark and Greenland make clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty commitments and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, co-chairs of the Senate Nato Observer Group.
US officials argue that Greenland is strategically vital due to its vast reserves of minerals critical for advanced technology and military applications.
These resources, however, remain largely untapped because of limited infrastructure, labor shortages, and harsh environmental conditions.“It’s not going away,” the senior official said, referring to Trump’s determination to pursue Greenland’s acquisition during the remaining three years of his presidency.