Trump Advocates for US Ownership of Greenland Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Sun Jan 11 2026 11:33:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former President Donald Trump asserts that the United States should claim Greenland to prevent Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, emphasizing the need for ownership over leasing agreements.

In a press conference, Donald Trump argued for the necessity of US ownership of Greenland as a defensive measure against potential Russian and Chinese encroachment. He suggested that ownership is vital for national security, highlighting the strategic importance of Greenland's location. Both Denmark and Greenland have rejected the notion of selling the territory, while Trump reiterated that military action is a possibility if necessary. Greenland's leaders firmly state their desire for self-determination.

Former President Donald Trump has recently made bold statements regarding the United States' need to 'own' Greenland, citing concerns over Chinese and Russian activities in the Arctic region. During a press conference in Washington, Trump stated, Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases, and we'll have to defend Greenland. This comes after melting ice caps have drawn international interest towards Greenland's natural resources.

Trump suggested that the United States would secure Greenland 'the easy way' or 'the hard way', further intensifying geopolitical debates over the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which has consistently denied that Greenland is for sale. Danish officials have warned that any military action would jeopardize the trans-Atlantic defense alliance.

In response to Trump's assertions, Greenlandic party leaders expressed their strong desire for independence, stating in a collective statement, We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. They emphasized the importance of self-determination in the future affairs of their territory.

Strategically located between North America and the Arctic, Greenland is viewed by many, including Trump, as crucial to US national security due to its potential role in monitoring missile threats and securing Arctic shipping routes.

Despite Trump's claims, Denmark and its NATO allies have reinforced the idea that decisions regarding Greenland's status must come from the Greenlandic people, adhering to UN principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The increasing global interest in Greenland's resources, particularly as climate change makes them more accessible, adds another layer of complexity to the discussions.