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James FitzGerald
US President Donald Trump insists his country must acquire Greenland for national security reasons – and has not ruled out using military force.
His demands have been rejected by Greenland’s leaders, and by Nato member Denmark, of which the island is a semi-autonomous territory.
This has led to a wider diplomatic row, with Trump threatening additional trade tariffs against a number of European allies if they oppose his plan.
Where is Greenland and why is it important to Trump?
Greenland – the world’s largest island – is located in the Arctic. At about 2.2 million sq km (836,330 square miles), it is roughly six times the size of Germany.
It is also the most sparsely populated global territory, with a population of about 56,000 people, mostly indigenous Inuit people.
Its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.
At the height of the Cold War, the US had plans to station nuclear missiles on the island but abandoned the project over engineering problems and objections by Denmark.
The US has operated Pituffik Space Base – formerly known as Thule Air Base – since World War Two. The base currently monitors for missiles.
About 80% of Greenland is covered by ice, meaning most people live on the south-western coast around the capital, Nuuk.
Its economy is mainly based on fishing, and it receives large subsidies from the Danish government.
In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. It could also have significant oil and gas reserves.
Trump has focused on such resources elsewhere – including in his dealings with Ukraine – but denies they are behind his desire for Greenland.
However he has repeatedly described the threat he perceives from Russia and China in the region.
In one Truth Social post, he wrote: “Nato has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!”
In a text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump also said that he no longer felt obliged to focus on peace after not being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
What has Trump said about his Greenland plans?
Speaking ahead of the Davos forum in Switzerland, Trump said he would tell European leaders that “we have to have” Greenland.
He said there was “no going back” because “Greenland is imperative for national and world security”, and posted a generated image of himself placing an American flag on the territory.
On 17 January, Trump threatened new 10% trade tariffs “on any and all goods” sent to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland if those countries do not support his plans. These would take effect on 1 February, increasing to 25% from 1 June if no deal has been agreed.
Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, but was told it was not for sale.
He revived his interest shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025. Vice-President JD Vance visited Greenland in March that year, and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to invest enough to protect the territory.
In late 2025, Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who spoke openly spoken about making the island a part of the US.
Trump ramped up calls to take over Greenland after a US military raid on Venezuela in early January 2026, during which the country’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized and taken to New York to face criminal charges.
What have Denmark and other Nato allies said about Greenland’s future?
The territory does not have its own independent military and is not a member of Nato, but is part of the alliance through Denmark.
Responding to the threat of further tariffs, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted that “Europe won’t be blackmailed”.
She and other European leaders issued a joint statement warning that Trump’s words would “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.
Her UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer said the move was “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron said the “endless accumulation of new tariffs” from the US was “fundamentally unacceptable”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Europe’s response would be “unflinching, united and proportional”.
European nations have repeatedly said that only Denmark and Greenland can decide the territory’s future.
On 14 January, Vance and Rubio met the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers at the White House.
At the time, Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the talks as “frank but constructive,” but warned there was a “fundamental disagreement” between the two countries.
Several European countries including France, Sweden and Germany have since sent military personnel to the territory for exercises and security purposes.
Denmark has also proposed that Nato should start surveillance operations in Greenland.
Why does Denmark control Greenland?
Though a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.
The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th Century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War Two, the US invaded the island, establishing military and radio stations.
ReutersAfter the war, American forces remained in Greenland.
In 1951, a defence agreement with Denmark granted the US a significant role in the defence of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.
In 1953, the island was made part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.
In 1979, a referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defence.
Greenland has a Danish military presence as well as an American one.
What do the people of Greenland think about Trump and his threats?
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen has repeatedly rejected Trump’s arguments, dismissing the idea of US control as a “fantasy”.
Polling suggests that most Greenlanders back independence from Denmark, but that an overwhelming majority of them also reject the idea of becoming part of the US.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in both Greenland and Denmark to protest against Trump’s plans.
