US President Donald Trump has reignited his push to bring Greenland under US control, framing it as a vital national security move in the face of Arctic rivals like Russia and China.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The White House made waves on Tuesday, by revealing that the Trump administration is weighing “a range of options,” explicitly including the potential use of US military force to acquire the Danish territory.
This bold statement to CNN comes straight from press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stressed that securing Greenland is essential for deterring adversaries in the strategically rich Arctic region, where the US already maintains bases like Pituffik.
“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.
“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”
According to two people familiar with the conversation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers this week that the Trump administration is thinking about purchasing Greenland while downplaying worries about US military intervention soon.
Although the administration’s goals for Denmark’s resource-rich, self-governing province have not been made public in recent months, officials were still debating the issue in private.
In the days following the US capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, Trump has been moving toward a more expansionist foreign policy, including a renewed interest in buying the Danish territory.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
International backlash builds
Denmark and European NATO allies swiftly pushed back, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that any aggressive US move could shatter the alliance.
A joint statement from European leaders affirmed Greenland’s sovereignty, belonging to its people, while questioning Denmark’s hold amid Trump’s rhetoric.
Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller doubled down, insisting Greenland should be part of the US without ruling out force, though he dodged direct invasion talk.
Strategic stakes and alternatives
Greenland’s location offers unmatched Arctic dominance, packed with rare earth minerals and key for missile defence, prompting Pentagon shifts to Northern Command oversight. Beyond military action, options like outright purchase or a Compact of Free Association, like Pacific deals, are under review.
Senator Mark Kelly plans a resolution to block any Greenland invasion, highlighting rifts even within the US. As tensions simmer post-Venezuela developments, Trump’s unyielding focus tests NATO bonds and global geopolitics.