President Donald Trump has once more articulated his ambition for the United States to assume control over Greenland, framing the move as a critical national security imperative. The statement came on Monday, December 22, 2025, following his announcement to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the vast Arctic island.
National Security Justification and Diplomatic Fallout
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump emphasized that his interest was not driven by Greenland's substantial energy or mineral reserves. "We need it for national security," Trump told reporters. "We have to have it. And he wanted to lead the charge." He described Governor Landry as a "deal-maker-type guy" capable of executing this vision.
The president expressed concerns over regional security, stating, "You look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place." He further criticized Denmark, which oversees Greenland's foreign and defense policy, for what he characterized as insufficient spending on the island's protection.
In a swift diplomatic response, the Kingdom of Denmark announced it would summon the U.S. ambassador to Copenhagen for discussions. This move underscores the serious tensions triggered by Trump's comments and Landry's subsequent vow to make Greenland "a part of the U.S."
A Long-Stated Ambition and Arctic Escalation
Trump's focus on Greenland is not new; he first floated the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark six years ago. However, his advocacy has intensified during his second term, marked by a series of high-profile visits to the region by key U.S. officials.
This outreach includes trips by Vice President JD Vance, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, who visited in January 2025 prior to the inauguration. These actions have been monitored closely by both Greenlandic residents and Danish authorities.
Notably, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service recently took the unprecedented step of describing the United States as a potential security risk, pointing to its use of economic and technological power as tools of geopolitical influence.
International Reactions and Solidarity
The situation has drawn sharp reactions from international leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared the European Union's "full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland." In a social media post, she stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law and affirmed Arctic security as a key EU priority.
Greenland itself is an autonomous Danish dependent territory with its own parliament and self-government, though Denmark handles its defense and foreign affairs. The renewed U.S. interest has placed the remote island at the center of a growing geopolitical contest in the strategically vital Arctic, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and access to resources.
As special envoy Jeff Landry begins his work, the world watches to see how this unusual diplomatic push will develop, with Denmark and its allies firmly rejecting any notion of altering Greenland's current political status.
