Official statements or documents from NATO or the Danish government

President-elect Trump Considers Military Action to Acquire Greenland

Jan 10, 2025, 06:36 AM

President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, calling it an "absolute necessity" for U.S. national and economic security. In recent statements, Trump refused to rule out using military force to gain control of the island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. He has also suggested imposing high tariffs on Denmark if it resists U.S. interests in Greenland. Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., along with Charlie Kirk, visited Greenland, claiming that locals expressed support for becoming part of the United States; however, Greenlandic officials have disputed these claims, describing the visit as "staged." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reached out to Trump to discuss the issue, emphasizing that Greenland is not for sale while acknowledging Denmark's neglect of Greenland's defense. The U.S. interest in Greenland stems from its strategic location and abundant natural resources, including rare earth minerals. The situation has raised tensions with Denmark, a NATO ally, and prompted discussions on national security implications and geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic region.