United States President Donald Trump has reignited global controversy with a vehement declaration that the US will acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not,” warning that failure to act could hand the strategic Arctic territory to China or Russia.
Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark, controls its internal affairs but leaves defence, foreign policy and monetary issues to Copenhagen. Despite this arrangement, Trump insists American ownership is vital for national and economic security.
Trump, who first floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, said Denmark could hand over the island “the easy way” or “the hard way,” stressing that leases or agreements are not enough.
“Ownership” is necessary, he argued, because “you don’t defend leases the same way — you have to own it”.
Doubling down on his position, Trump warned that inaction would benefit US rivals, saying the country must act “whether they like it or not” because “if we don’t do it, China or Russia will”.
The remarks came days after the White House hinted that military action was “always an option” in taking control of Greenland — comments that further alarmed European leaders.
Greenland has firmly rejected Trump’s stance, with political leaders across party lines condemning what they described as America’s “disregard” for their country.
“We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people,” they said.
Denmark, a long-standing US ally, has also maintained that Greenland is not for sale, insisting the island belongs to its people.
The renewed tension comes amid wider geopolitical anxieties, following recent US military actions abroad and growing rivalry among global powers over strategic territories.
