“Countries must have property and they need to protect that property, not what is leased. And we will need to protect Greenland,” the US President said. He believes that a theoretical agreement to lease the island will not be enough.
He added that Washington can achieve this “the easy way” or the “hard way.”
“I love the Chinese people, I love the Russian people. But I don’t want them to be our neighbors in Greenland. That won’t happen,” Trump said and confirmed that NATO “must understand this.”
Denmark's NATO allies – major European countries, as well as Canada – expressed their support this week, reaffirming in statements that only Denmark and Greenland can make decisions on issues affecting their relationship, the BBC notes.
Context
Trump has repeatedly said that the United States need Greenland for their national security. On May 4, 2025, he suggested the use of military force in Greenland. In December, the Danish Foreign and Military Intelligence Service for the first time called the United States a potential threat country security.
That same month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as US special envoy to Greenland. He said he was “honored” to serve Trump in this volunteer position to “make Greenland part of the United States.”
According to Politico, the US “may try to take advantage of a window of opportunity” in the coming months to establish control over the island.
As The Economist reported, the Trump administration is working on an agreement that will present Greenland. According to the publication, the White House may offer Greenland a so-called agreement of free association (COFA). Based on such a document, the United States has already extended its influence to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean.
