President Donald Trump on Sunday declared that the United States would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” arguing that the mineral-rich Danish territory is vital to U.S. national security amid increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that Washington must act or risk losing the strategically located island to rival powers.
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen,” he said, despite neither country having laid claim to the territory.
Trump said he was open to negotiating a deal with Greenland, which is a self-governing territory under Denmark, but insisted the outcome was inevitable. “But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” he stated.
His remarks have drawn sharp reactions from Denmark and other European allies, who expressed shock at what they described as threats over the island.
Greenland occupies a strategic position between North America and the Arctic, and the United States has maintained a military base there since World War II.
Formerly a Danish colony until 1953, Greenland was granted home rule in 1979 and has since debated the possibility of loosening its ties with Denmark.
However, most of its population and political parties oppose U.S. control, maintaining that Greenlanders alone should decide their future — a stance Trump has repeatedly challenged.
“Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” Trump said, while dismissing the island’s defense capabilities. “You know what their defense is, two dog sleds,” he added, contrasting it with Russia and China having “d+stroyers and submarines all over the place.”
Denmark’s prime minister warned last week that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by force would sh%tter eight decades of transatlantic security cooperation.
Trump brushed off the concern, saying, “If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, (Greenland) need us much more than we need them.”
