By: The Trek News Desk
US President Donald Trump has said that the United States needs to establish ownership over Greenland to prevent Russia and China from expanding their influence in the region. Speaking to the media, Trump argued that national security cannot be guaranteed through lease agreements alone and insisted that true defence comes only with ownership. He added that the US could achieve this objective either “the easy way or the hard way.”
The White House recently indicated that the administration is exploring the possibility of purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark. At the same time, officials have not ruled out more forceful options. Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea, stating that the territory is not for sale. Danish authorities have warned that any military action would severely damage the trans-Atlantic defence alliance.
Although Greenland is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the world, its strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it critically important. The territory plays a key role in early missile warning systems and in monitoring naval movement across the Arctic region. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Greenland is essential to US national security, alleging, without presenting evidence, that Russian and Chinese vessels are increasingly active in the area.
Currently, more than 100 US military personnel are permanently stationed at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a facility operated by the US since World War II. Existing agreements with Denmark allow Washington to deploy additional troops if needed. Despite this, Trump maintains that lease-based arrangements are insufficient for long-term security needs.
Trump also said that while he holds no hostility toward the people of Russia or China, he does not want them positioned as strategic neighbours in Greenland. He urged NATO to recognise the seriousness of the issue.
In response, Denmark’s NATO allies, including major European nations and Canada, have publicly backed Copenhagen. They stressed that decisions regarding Greenland can only be made by Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities, and emphasised that Arctic security must be ensured collectively by allies. These countries also reiterated the importance of respecting the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Concerns surrounding Greenland intensified after Trump’s recent use of military force in Venezuela to detain President Nicolás Maduro. It is worth noting that Trump had made a similar attempt in 2019 during his first term, when he proposed buying Greenland, an offer that was swiftly rejected.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to hold talks with Danish officials in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Greenland has gained increasing global attention due to its rich natural resources. As climate change accelerates ice melt, access to rare earth minerals, uranium, iron ore, and potentially large oil and gas reserves is becoming easier.
In a joint statement issued on Friday night, leaders from both ruling and opposition parties in Greenland criticised what they described as the US’s disregard for their country. They clearly stated that they do not wish to become Americans or Danes, asserting that Greenland’s future must be decided solely by the Greenlandic people.
Source: News Agencies
