In an assertive stance on international security, US President Donald Trump has again highlighted his contingency plans to secure control over Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance to US national security. Speaking in a recent interview, Trump emphasized, “We need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it.” His statements reflect a recurring theme since his return to the White House, where he has repeatedly stressed the necessity of bringing Greenland under US control.
Trump’s ambition does not hide the possibility of military action, despite the territory’s long-standing governance under Denmark, a fellow NATO ally. “It’s an island that from a defensive posture, and even an offense posture, is something we need,” he stated, underscoring the geopolitically sensitive nature of Greenland’s position between North America and Europe. This strategic location, coupled with Greenland’s untapped mineral and oil reserves, makes it a critical piece in global geopolitics and trade dynamics.
When questioned about the Greenlanders’ potential eagerness to join the US, Trump acknowledged uncertainty but asserted the need to persuade them. “We have to convince them,” he said, reflecting an underlying diplomatic challenge to his militarily assertive approach.
Despite Trump’s ambitions, Greenland has articulated its own aspirations for independence from Denmark. Recent parliamentary elections saw the pro-business Demokraatit party, recognized for its gradual approach towards independence, emerge victorious, further complicating diplomatic relations in light of Trump’s overtures.
The political friction surrounding Trump’s interests in Greenland has intensified. An overwhelming 85% of the territory’s population opposes the idea of coming under US rule, and Greenland’s acting head of government, Mute Egede, has denounced the uninvited visit by Vice President JD Vance as a “provocation” and “foreign interference.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticized the US, labeling the pressure on Greenland and Denmark as “unacceptable.” In response to the backlash, the Vance’s planned visit to a dogsled race was canceled and replaced with a visit to the US military base in Greenland, a move greeted more favorably by Danish officials.
This development signifies a sensitive moment in US-Denmark relations and highlights the complex geopolitical dimensions of the Arctic region. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed nuanced support for the revised itinerary, seeing the visit to the military base as a more diplomatic and less politically provocative decision.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/27/trump-reiterates-us-must-have-greenland-ahead-of-jd-vance-visit?traffic_source=rss
