In a new escalation of the controversy surrounding US ambitions in the Arctic, US President Donald Trump affirmed his determination to proceed with the plan to acquire Greenland , emphasizing that this would be achieved "by any means necessary." These inflammatory statements further widen the diplomatic rift with Denmark, whose officials in Copenhagen have repeatedly asserted that the self-governing territory is not for sale.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump initially tried to defuse the tension by expressing his admiration for Denmark and its people, saying, “I like Denmark too, and I have to tell you, they’ve been very nice to me.” However, his tone quickly shifted when he addressed the issue of sovereignty, questioning Denmark’s absolute claim to the territory based on colonial history, adding, “Just because they arrived there by ship 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the territory.”.
National security and confronting superpowers
The US president links his strong desire to control Greenland to concerns about national security and geopolitical competition with other great powers. Trump stated clearly on Friday: “We cannot allow Russia or China to occupy Greenland. That is what they will do if we don’t.”.
Reports indicate that the White House is considering multiple options, including military intervention, which has not been entirely ruled out, to ensure that the strategic island does not fall under the influence of Beijing or Moscow. Washington is viewing with concern China's moves in the Arctic, where Beijing is seeking to establish a "Polar Silk Road," as well as Russia's growing military presence in the region.
The strategic and historical importance of Greenland
Washington's desire to purchase Greenland is not a recent development or an idea exclusive to the Trump administration. In 1946, US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold to buy the island, given its strategic location. Greenland currently hosts Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base, which plays a pivotal role in the ballistic missile early warning system and space surveillance, making it a cornerstone of North American defense.
Beyond the military aspect, the island is gaining increasing economic importance as the melting ice opens up new shipping lanes and facilitates access to enormous natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, gas, and uranium – resources that global powers are seeking to control.
A test of NATO's cohesion
Trump's remarks have sparked serious concerns within NATO. In an interview with The New York Times, the US president acknowledged that he may face a difficult choice between preserving the alliance's unity or asserting control over Danish territory.
For her part, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded firmly, noting that her country is a founding and active member of NATO, and warning that any hostile US action against a member of the alliance would trigger Article 5 on collective defense, which could “bring everything to an end” and undermine the decades-long Western alliance.
