In a striking declaration that has reignited a long-standing geopolitical debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States must take control of Greenland, warning that failure to do so would allow rivals Russia or China to seize the strategic territory.
A Stark Warning from Air Force One
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Trump framed the potential acquisition of the vast, mineral-rich island as a critical move for American national security. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump stated. He emphasized his position by adding, "one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland."
This renewed interest comes despite the fact that neither Russia nor China has made any formal claim to the Danish self-governing territory. Trump justified his stance by pointing to increased military activity by both nations in the rapidly changing Arctic region, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and access to resources.
Greenland's Strategic Value and Local Opposition
The world's largest island, Greenland plays a pivotal strategic role between North America and the Arctic. The United States has maintained a military presence there since World War II with the Thule Air Base. Trump highlighted the territory's mineral wealth and mocked its current defensive capabilities, quipping, "You know what their defense is, two dog sleds," while contrasting it with Russian and Chinese "destroyers and submarines all over the place."
However, the vast majority of Greenland's population and its political parties have consistently rejected the idea of coming under U.S. control. They insist that Greenlanders alone must decide their future. The island, a Danish colony until 1953, gained home rule in 1979 and has been contemplating further steps toward full independence from Denmark.
Transatlantic Tensions and NATO Implications
Trump's comments have sent shockwaves through European capitals, particularly in Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned last week that any American attempt to seize Greenland by force would devastate eight decades of transatlantic security cooperation. Trump dismissed these concerns, stating, "If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, (Greenland) need us much more than we need them."
The former president suggested he would prefer a negotiated deal with Greenland but made clear his determination to secure the territory regardless. This stance continues a pattern from his previous administration, which made a widely publicized but unsuccessful offer to purchase Greenland from Denmark in 2019.
The controversy underscores the growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic, where climate change is unlocking new economic and military opportunities. As major powers vie for influence, the future of Greenland and the autonomy of its 56,000 inhabitants remain caught in a global power struggle, with local voices fiercely advocating for self-determination against the backdrop of superpower ambition.
