Official announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense or the White House

Trump Considers Military Intervention for Greenland, Despite Danish Rejection

Jan 9, 2025, 06:55 AM

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, citing its strategic importance for national and economic security. Trump's interest in Greenland is driven by several factors, including the island's control over key maritime and air routes, its rich deposits of minerals, oil, gas, and rare earth minerals crucial for telecommunications and other technologies. The melting of Arctic ice due to climate change is also seen as a potential opportunity for new shipping routes and access to previously inaccessible resources. Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland is also viewed as a means to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere and to cement his legacy, according to sources familiar with his thinking. Trump has not ruled out military intervention to achieve this goal. His son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland recently, underscoring the seriousness of the interest. The Danish government has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, and any move by Trump could lead to tensions with NATO ally Denmark. Trump sees Greenland as a strategic addition to U.S. territory.