In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing push for the United States to acquire Greenland, arguing that control of the Arctic territory is vital to U.S. national security. According to Trump, ownership of Greenland is necessary to prevent growing Russian and Chinese influence in the strategically important region.
“The Easy Way or the Hard Way”
On January 9, 2026, President Trump declared that the United States would move forward on Greenland “whether they like it or not.” He suggested that a negotiated agreement would be the preferred “easy way,” but warned that the U.S. could pursue annexation if a deal proved impossible.Military Option on the Table
The White House confirmed that the possibility of “utilizing the U.S. military” remains an active option. This sharp rhetoric followed a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, signaling a more assertive foreign policy stance.Strategic Justification
Trump claimed that Greenland is currently “covered with Russian and Chinese ships,” using this assertion to argue for a permanent U.S. presence rather than existing lease-based arrangements. “You defend ownership; you don’t defend leases,” he stated, emphasizing his belief that only full control can ensure long-term security.
Denmark and Greenland Reject Proposal
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen firmly rejected the idea, reiterating that “Greenland is not for sale.” Frederiksen warned that any U.S. military action against Greenland would effectively signal “the end of NATO,” underscoring the seriousness of the dispute.International Response
Seven European nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, issued a joint statement backing Danish sovereignty. The statement reaffirmed that decisions regarding Greenland’s future can only be made by Denmark and the people of Greenland.Upcoming Diplomatic Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers beginning January 14, 2026, in an effort to de-escalate tensions and discuss the future of U.S.–Greenland relations.
A Revival of a 2019 Proposal
President Trump first raised the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, framing it as a “large real estate deal.” The proposal was quickly dismissed by Denmark at the time.Economic and Geopolitical Interests
Beyond military strategy, Greenland holds vast untapped reserves of rare earth minerals and uranium. Climate change has also opened new Arctic shipping routes, increasing the island’s economic and strategic importance.Existing U.S. Presence
The United States already maintains a military foothold in Greenland through the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), operated under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark.