Trump pushes for Greenland annexation, calls it essential for US security

President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire for the United States to annex Greenland, further fueling tensions with Denmark ahead of a visit by Vice President JD Vance to the Danish territory.

The comments, made on March 26 during an interview with conservative talk show host Vince Coglianese, mark Trump’s most direct statement yet on the issue, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The mission of Vice President JD Vance and others on his team would be "to let them know that we need Greenland for international safety and security,” Trump said. “It’s an island that from a defensive posture, and even offensive posture, is something we need, especially with the world the way it is, and we’re going to have to have it.”

Trump’s remarks come as Vance prepares for a highly scrutinized visit to Greenland. While the president had initially downplayed the connection between the trip and his long-standing desire to bring Greenland under U.S. control, he made his intentions clearer on March 26. “I don’t know. I don’t think they’re un-eager, but I think that we have to do it, and we have to convince them,” Trump stated, underscoring that Greenlanders’ preferences were secondary to U.S. strategic interests.

The president’s insistence on annexing Greenland has triggered a diplomatic crisis with Denmark, a NATO ally, and heightened political tensions on the semi-autonomous island. Vance’s visit was scheduled before Greenland’s political parties have formed a governing coalition following the country’s recent general election.

Vance and his wife are set to visit a remote U.S. military base in the far northwest of the island, where they will be briefed on national security issues and meet with American service members. Trump emphasized the importance of the region for U.S. defense, saying, “Modern-day weapons — when you look at ships going up their shore by the — you know, by the hundreds. It’s a busy place, and it’s really something we have. It’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this earth, not just the United States, without it.”

Despite initial plans for a grand tour, aspects of Vance’s trip were scaled down due to local backlash. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright were removed from the delegation, and events like the national dog sled race and stops in populated centers such as Nuuk and Sisimiut were cancelled in anticipation of anti-U.S. protests.

By Vugar Khalilov