President Donald Trump
By Chris Williams
US President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by ramping up his claims over Greenland, a self-governed territory under Denmark. Speaking on Wednesday ahead of a visit by Vice President JD Vance, Trump told podcaster Vince Coglianese that the United States must take control of Greenland for “international safety and security.” Since returning to power in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly pushed for the island to become a US possession, even refusing to rule out the use of force. His bold statements have triggered sharp rebukes from Greenland and Denmark, raising tensions over the Arctic island’s future.
Greenland, strategically located between North America and Europe, is rich in untapped mineral reserves and holds immense geopolitical value. As climate change opens up new sea lanes in the Arctic, the region has become a hotspot for competing interests from the US, China, and Russia. Trump’s latest comments coincide with a planned visit by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, to the US-run Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Friday. However, the visit has been scaled back after criticism from Greenlandic and Danish leaders, highlighting the delicate balance of power in this unfolding saga.
Why Trump Wants Greenland
Trump’s fixation on Greenland centres on its strategic and economic importance. “We need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it,” he said in the podcast interview, underscoring his belief that the island is critical to US interests. Greenland’s position in the Arctic makes it a vital outpost for monitoring potential threats, particularly from rival powers like Russia and China. The US already operates the Pituffik Space Base, its northernmost military installation, which supports missile defence, space surveillance, and NATO operations.
Beyond security, Greenland boasts vast mineral wealth, including rare earth elements crucial for modern technology. While oil and uranium exploration are currently banned, the island’s resources have drawn global attention as demand for these materials surges. Trump’s vision for Greenland echoes his earlier attempt during his first term to purchase the island from Denmark—an idea dismissed as “absurd” by Danish officials at the time. Now, with a renewed focus, he sees Greenland as a cornerstone of America’s Arctic strategy.
Greenland and Denmark Push Back
Trump’s claims have met with fierce resistance from both Greenland and Denmark. Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister, Mute Egede, slammed initial US plans for a broader visit as “foreign interference,” stressing that no invitations had been extended. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been equally firm, declaring that Greenland is “not for sale” and that its people should determine its future. The backlash prompted the US to limit Vance’s upcoming visit to the Pituffik Space Base, a decision welcomed by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. “They will only visit their own base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that,” Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR on Wednesday.
Greenlandic officials have made it clear they want neither Danish nor American control. “We are open for business with everyone,” they’ve stated, reflecting a desire for independence and global engagement on their terms. Opinion polls show most Greenlanders favour breaking away from Denmark but oppose annexation by the US. With a transitional government in place following elections on 11 March, coalition talks are ongoing, and Egede has urged all countries to “respect this process.”
A Scaled-Back Visit and De-escalation
The upcoming visit by Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance has become a flashpoint in this dispute. Initially planned as a wider tour of Greenland, it drew harsh criticism from local and Danish authorities. Egede’s accusation of “foreign interference” and the threat of protests—including a demonstration planned in Sisimiut after an earlier one in Nuuk on 15 March—prompted the US to rethink its approach. Limiting the visit to Pituffik has been hailed as a “de-escalation” by experts and officials alike, easing tensions for now but leaving broader questions unresolved.
The Bigger Picture: Arctic Power Plays
Greenland’s strategic value is amplified by the changing Arctic landscape. Climate change has melted ice, opening new shipping routes and exposing resources once locked away. This has intensified competition among global powers. Russia has bolstered its military presence in the region, while China, calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” has sought economic footholds. The US, through its long-standing presence at Pituffik and its 1951 defence treaty with Denmark, views Greenland as a linchpin in countering these moves.
Historically, the US has eyed Greenland for over a century. In 1867, it considered buying the island alongside Alaska, and in the 1940s, the Truman administration offered Denmark $100 million for it—an offer rejected. Today, Trump’s aggressive rhetoric risks straining ties with Denmark, a NATO ally, and unsettling European partners wary of his approach.
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