Trump on Greenland: There's everything we can do

On January 14, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasised Greenland’s strategic importance to American national security, suggesting that Denmark may not be able to reliably protect the island.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “Greenland is very important for the national security, including of Denmark. And the problem is, there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there's everything we can do.”

A senior Danish official said that a “fundamental disagreement” persists with President Donald Trump over Greenland, following White House talks with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions included Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, and Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Despite the disagreement, both sides agreed to form a working group to explore solutions that address U.S. security concerns while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty. Rasmussen noted that Trump remains intent on pursuing control over Greenland, a stance driven by strategic concerns over Russia and China and the island’s untapped mineral reserves.

Trump, who did not attend the meeting, reiterated his position, saying, “We need Greenland for national security,” and pushed for NATO support for a U.S. takeover. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, named Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, endorsed the president’s stance on social media, calling the island “a critical component of our nation’s national security portfolio.”

Denmark announced plans to increase its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic amid Trump’s campaign. Both Rasmussen and Motzfeldt expressed cautious optimism that the talks could open a dialogue leading to closer U.S.-Danish cooperation, even as Trump maintains his aggressive approach toward acquiring the semiautonomous territory.

By Aghakazim Guliyev