Trump says US needs to 'own' Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking it

By Admin

10 Jan, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump recently declared that the United States needs to “own” Greenland to prevent it from falling into the hands of Russia or China, repeating and intensifying a controversial foreign policy position that has drawn global attention.

Trump made the remarks during a meeting with reporters, telling them that ownership not merely military leasing was essential for true defense. “Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases,” he emphasized, adding that America would have to defend Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way.”

What Trump Said and Why

When asked about Greenland, Trump argued that the island’s strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it vital for U.S. national security particularly in monitoring missile attacks or tracking warships in the region.

He claimed without evidence that Russia and China were actively establishing a presence in Greenland’s waters, saying the United States could not allow either to “be a neighbour.” Trump repeated that defending a lease is not enough ownership is necessary to ensure real control.

Past Offers and Current Push

This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea; he previously proposed buying Greenland in 2019, but Denmark rejected the offer firmly, stating the territory is not for sale.

The White House has now acknowledged that military force remains on the table, with officials saying using the U.S. military to acquire Greenland is “always an option.” Yet, at the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to engage in talks with Danish counterparts.

Denmark and NATO Allies Reject the Idea

Both Denmark and Greenland have strongly pushed back against Trump’s statements. The Danish government has asserted that military action would spell the end of the trans-Atlantic defence alliance, while Greenland’s leaders stated they do not want U.S. or Danish rule declaring, “We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.”

Denmark’s NATO allies including major European nations and Canada have issued statements reaffirming that only Denmark and Greenland can decide their political future. They also stressed the importance of upholding sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law in Arctic security matters.

Strategic Importance of Greenland

Though sparsely populated, Greenland holds significant strategic and economic value:

• Its position makes it vital for early warning radar and defensive systems between North America and Europe.
  
  

• The U.S. already has a longstanding military presence there, including over 100 personnel at the Pituffik base, which it has operated since World War II under agreements with Denmark.
  
  

• The island also possesses rich natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, uranium, and potentially oil and gas made more accessible by melting ice due to climate change.
  
  

Trump and his advisers argue that Greenland’s geography and resources make it a geopolitical prize that must be under firm U.S. control to fend off rivals.

Greenland’s Response and the Future

Greenland’s political leaders issued a unified statement condemning U.S. disregard for their sovereignty and insist that any decisions about their future must be made by the Greenlandic people.

Meanwhile, the issue has sparked a broader international debate about great-power competition in the Arctic, the resilience of NATO alliances, and the limits of U.S. foreign policy when it comes to territorial sovereignty.

As talks continue between U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials, the world watches closely to see whether this latest chapter in Arctic politics will lead to diplomatic negotiation or escalate further.