US Considers Greenland Acquisition as Tensions Rise With Denmark, NATO

US Considers Greenland Acquisition as Tensions Rise With Denmark, NATO

WASHINGTON / COPENHAGEN / NUUK — US President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring options, including military action, to acquire Greenland, the self-governing Danish territory rich in minerals, sparking warnings from Denmark and concerns over the potential collapse of NATO.

The White House confirmed Tuesday that Trump views acquiring Greenland as a national security priority, aimed at countering strategic rivals such as Russia and China. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”

Reports indicate that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Trump’s preferred approach is to purchase Greenland from Denmark, rather than launch a military invasion, though the threat of force has raised alarm among allies.

Denmark has strongly objected to any military action, emphasizing that such a move would threaten 80 years of transatlantic security ties and trigger NATO’s Article Five, which obliges member states to defend one another against attack. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insisted the island is not for sale and that only its 57,000 residents should determine its future.

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The international community has rallied in support of Denmark and Greenland. Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain issued a joint statement defending the “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders.” French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to de-escalate tensions while attending Ukraine peace talks in Paris.

Locals in Greenland have rejected the US overtures. Christian Keldsen, director of the Greenland Business Association, told AFP, “This is not something we appreciate. It is not acceptable in the civilized world.”

Trump’s plans have also faced criticism from US lawmakers across party lines. Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego vowed to introduce a resolution “to block Trump from invading Greenland,” while Republican leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Jerry Moran warned the proposal could endanger NATO and US alliances.

Currently, the US maintains 150 military personnel at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Despite investments by Copenhagen in Greenland’s security infrastructure, estimated at $14 billion over the last year, Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of annexing the island since his first term, intensifying tensions with both allies and lawmakers.

US Considers Greenland Acquisition as Tensions Rise With Denmark, NATO