Trump informs NATO leader that the United States requires Greenland

President Donald Trump informed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday that U.S. control over Greenland is essential for bolstering international security, intensifying his efforts to annex the strategically important Arctic island.

“Mark, we need that for international security—not just for our own safety. We have many of our key allies operating in the area, and we must proceed with caution,” Trump stated while they met in the Oval Office. “We’ll be in touch.”

When directly questioned about the possibility of annexation, Trump responded, “I believe that will occur.” Since assuming office on January 20, Trump has consistently highlighted the U.S. annexation of Greenland as a significant issue. His remarks on Thursday indicated a desire for NATO’s involvement in his plans regarding the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

These comments were quickly dismissed by Greenland’s outgoing prime minister. “The U.S. president has once again suggested the idea of annexing us,” Mute Egede expressed in a Facebook post. “This has to stop.”

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the pro-business Demokraatit party, which recently won Greenland’s parliamentary elections, also criticized Trump’s remarks. “Trump’s comments from the U.S. are inappropriate and highlight the need for us to unite in such circumstances,” Nielsen wrote on Facebook. Neither NATO nor Denmark’s embassy in Washington provided an immediate response to requests for comment.

Polls indicate that a majority of Greenlanders are against the idea of joining the United States, although many support the notion of gaining independence from Denmark in the future. Prior to commencing his second presidential term, Trump expressed his desire to incorporate Greenland into the U.S., despite Denmark, a NATO ally, asserting that the territory is not for sale.

Greenland’s advantageous location and abundant mineral resources present potential benefits for the U.S., as it is situated along the most direct route between Europe and North America, which is crucial for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.

Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state has irritated Canadians, and he has also called for increased U.S. influence over the Panama Canal. In response, Dutch Prime Minister Rutte informed Trump that he would leave the matter of Greenland’s future to other nations, stating, “I don’t want to drag NATO” into the discussion. He emphasized that this issue should be addressed by countries in the “high north,” especially as China and Russia are utilizing maritime routes in the region.

Despite Rutte’s stance, Trump continued to assert that Denmark was unwilling to engage in discussions about Greenland and hinted at the possibility of deploying additional U.S. troops to strengthen American military bases on the island. “We’ve been negotiating with Denmark and Greenland, and it’s essential for us to do so. We truly need it for national security. I believe that’s why NATO may need to be involved, as Greenland is critical for our national security. It holds significant importance,” Trump stated.

Additionally, Trump attempted to challenge Denmark’s claim over Greenland, remarking, “Denmark is quite distant and really has little connection to it. What happened, a ship landed there 200 years ago or so? And they assert they have rights to it. I’m not sure that’s accurate. I don’t believe it is.”