Washington D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited global tensions by asserting that the United States must “own” Greenland to protect national security and prevent rivals like Russia and China from establishing a presence there.Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, January 9, 2026, Trump stated that the U.S. would achieve this goal either “the easy way” (through purchase) or “the hard way” (annexation).+1
Key Highlights:
- Ownership over Leases: Trump argued that existing lease agreements with Denmark are insufficient for long-term defense. “You defend ownership, you don’t defend leases,” he said, citing concerns over Russian and Chinese ships in the Arctic.+1
- Denmark & NATO’s Response: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has condemned the threats, warning that any attempt at military annexation would spell the “end of the NATO alliance.”
- Greenland’s Stance: Leaders in Greenland issued a joint statement rejecting the claim, asserting, “We do not want to be Americans or Danes; we want to be Greenlanders. Our future must be decided by our own people.”
- Geopolitical Stakes: Beyond its strategic location for missile early-warning systems, Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals, oil, and gas—resources that are becoming accessible as Arctic ice melts.
The U.S. already operates the Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland, but Trump insists that full territorial control is necessary to ensure the region does not become a “neighbor” to America’s adversaries.
