U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States needs to own Greenland to stop Russia or China from occupying the strategically located Arctic island in the future, insisting that existing security arrangements are insufficient to guarantee its defence.
“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not. Because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour,” Reuters cited Trump telling reporters at the White House during a meeting with oil company executives.
Trump said the US must acquire Greenland despite already maintaining a military presence on the island under a 1951 defence agreement, arguing that such arrangements fall short of ensuring long-term security. Greenland, with a population of about 57,000, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
“You defend ownership. You don't defend leases. And we'll have to defend Greenland. If we don't do it, China or Russia will,” he said.
According to Trump, he and senior White House officials have discussed various options to bring Greenland under US control, including the possible use of the American military and lump-sum payments to Greenlanders as part of efforts to persuade the territory to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States.
His remarks have prompted strong reactions in Copenhagen and across Europe, where leaders have expressed disdain for assertions by Trump and other US officials that Washington has a right to Greenland. The United States and Denmark are both NATO members bound by a mutual defence agreement.
Earlier this week, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint statement affirming that only Greenland and Denmark have the authority to decide matters concerning their relationship. - January 10, 2026
