President Donald Trump says the United States needs to ‘own’ Greenland to keep Russia and China from gaining a foothold there. He told reporters that countries must have ownership in order to defend territory, not just lease it. “Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you do not defend leases,” Trump said. “We will have to defend Greenland.”
Trump warned that if the United States does not act, Russia or China will. “We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” he said. “If we do not do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we are not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”
He added that he would prefer to make a deal. “I would like to make a deal the easy way. But if we do not do it the easy way, we are going to do it the hard way.”
Why Trump Fears Russia and China Moving In
Trump has repeatedly claimed that Greenland is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” even though maritime tracking data does not show those ships near the island. Still, he argues that the threat is real because of what Russia and China are doing in the Arctic.
Russia is expanding military bases and power plants in the Arctic and says it will increase its military capability there. China and Russia are also working together to develop Arctic shipping routes. These routes are opening up as ice melts, making it easier to move oil, gas, and goods between Asia and Europe. Russia has been sending more oil shipments to China through the Northern Sea Route, and China has sent scientific expeditions and research ships into Arctic waters.
Trump says he does not want either country becoming a neighbor through Greenland. “I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia,” he said. “But I do not want them as a neighbor in Greenland.”
Greenland sits between North America and Europe and lies between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. This location makes it critical for early warning systems in case of missile attacks. It also allows the United States to track ships and submarines moving through Arctic waters.
The US already operates the Pituffik military base in Greenland and has more than 100 personnel there. Under current agreements with Denmark, the US can bring in as many troops as it wants. But Trump says that is not enough. He believes only ownership guarantees real security.
Greenland also offers the shortest route from North America to Europe, which is important for military movement and for a ballistic missile early warning system. The United States wants to place more radars in the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom to monitor Russian and Chinese vessels.
The Resources That Add to Greenland’s Value
Greenland is rich in natural resources. It holds rare earth minerals that are used in high tech products and batteries. A 2023 survey found that 25 of the 34 minerals the European Union considers critical were present there. The island also has uranium, iron, and large oil and gas reserves, although drilling has been banned since 2021 for environmental reasons.
As ice melts, these resources are becoming easier to reach. That is one reason why Russia, China, and other countries are paying closer attention to the Arctic region.
Greenland is a self governing territory of Denmark and has had the right to declare independence by referendum since 2009. Both Denmark and Greenland have made it clear the island is not for sale. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland,” and warned that military action would threaten NATO.
Greenland’s leaders have also pushed back. In a joint statement, party leaders said, “We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said relations between nations should be based on respect and international law, not on symbolic gestures that ignore their rights.
But they doth protest too much.
Trump says he is not willing to rely on long term leases. “Countries cannot make nine year deals or even 100 year deals,” he said. “They have to have ownership.”
The White House has confirmed that Trump and his team are discussing a range of options, including the use of the US military. A statement said using the military is always an option for the president.
Trump first tried to buy Greenland in 2019. Now he says he is ready to act again, even if Denmark and Greenland object.
European NATO allies, including Canada and major European countries, have backed Denmark. They say only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future and that Arctic security must be handled by allies together, not by force. They also called for respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and borders.
NATO leaders have warned that a US military move against Greenland could destabilize the alliance. Denmark’s prime minister said it could spell the end of NATO as it exists today.
Even so, Trump continues to argue that Greenland is vital to US security and that failing to take control would leave the door open for Russia and China in the Arctic.
ACZ Editor: Trump has his ways. How do think a vote would go if Trump offered each of the 57000 residents a million dollars each to join the U.S.?