The White Home says Donald Trump and his shut advisers are discussing choices for taking up Greenland, because the US president continues to argue it might profit his nation’s safety.
His calls for have been rejected by the island’s leaders and by Nato member Denmark, which controls Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory.
The place is Greenland and why does it matter to Trump?
Greenland – the world’s largest island which isn’t a continent – is positioned within the Arctic. At round 2.2m sq km (836,330 sq. miles) it’s roughly the scale of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Saudi Arabia.
Additionally it is probably the most sparsely populated international territory, with a inhabitants of about 56,000 individuals, principally indigenous Inuit individuals.
Its location between North America and the Arctic makes it nicely positioned for early warning techniques within the occasion of missile assaults, and for monitoring vessels within the area.
On the peak of the Chilly Struggle, the US had plans to station nuclear missiles on the island however deserted the challenge over engineering issues and objections by Denmark.
Pituffik House Base, previously often known as Thule Air Base, has been operated there by the US since World Struggle Two and at the moment screens for missiles.
About 80% of Greenland is roofed by ice, which means most individuals dwell on the south-western coast across the capital, Nuuk.
Greenland’s financial system is principally based mostly on fishing, and it receives giant subsidies from the Danish authorities.
However in recent times, there was elevated curiosity in Greenland’s pure assets, together with mining for uncommon earth minerals, uranium and iron. Scientists suppose it may even have important oil and fuel reserves.
These assets might grow to be extra accessible as international warming results in the melting of the huge ice sheet that covers the island.
Invaluable mineral assets have been a key focus of Trump elsewhere on the earth, together with in his dealings with Ukraine.
Nonetheless, the US president has stated: “We want Greenland for nationwide safety, not minerals.”
He has additionally stated that “Greenland is roofed with Russian and Chinese language ships in every single place”.
A lot of Trump’s fellow Republican lawmakers agree that US safety is in danger from these two nations.
What has Trump stated concerning the US controlling Greenland?
Trump repeated earlier requires the US to take over Greenland following America’s latest army raid on Venezuela, throughout which its president Nicolás Maduro and his spouse had been seized and eliminated to New York.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying “that is sufficient now”, describing the concept of US management as a “fantasy”.
However Trump and his allies went on to reiterate their threats. The White Home stated quite a few choices had been beneath dialogue to accumulate the island, together with “utilising the US army”.
One in every of his prime aides, Stephen Miller, stated “no person’s going to battle the US over the way forward for Greenland”.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly advised lawmakers across the similar time that the American plan was to purchase slightly than invade the island.
A spokesperson for Rubio’s state division added that the emphasis was on constructing “lasting industrial relationships”, and burdened that the US had “widespread adversaries” with Denmark and different members of the Nato army alliance.
Trump beforehand made a proposal to purchase the island in 2019, throughout his first presidential time period. However he was advised it was not on the market.
He revived his curiosity shortly after returning to the White Home in January 2025.
There have additionally been controversial excessive degree visits to Greenland. Vice-President JD Vance travelled there in March and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to take a position sufficient to guard the territory.
A contemporary row about US intentions was sparked in late 2025 when Trump appointed a particular envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who has brazenly spoken about making the island part of the US.
What have Denmark and different Nato allies stated?
Greenland doesn’t have its personal impartial army and isn’t a member of Nato, however is a part of the alliance via Denmark.
Trump’s stance on the island’s future has shocked Copenhagen, which has historically loved shut relations with Washington.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any effort to take over Greenland would spell the top of the long-standing transatlantic alliance.
She and her UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer signed a press release alongside the leaders of fellow Nato members France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain which stated: “Greenland belongs to its individuals, and solely Denmark and Greenland can resolve on issues regarding their relations.”
Why does Denmark management Greenland?
Although part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been managed by Denmark – almost 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.
However the US safety curiosity in Greenland additionally dates again a great distance, and two American administrations earlier than Trump made failed efforts to accumulate it.
The island was ruled as a colony till the mid-Twentieth Century. For a lot of this time, it remained remoted and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark throughout World Struggle Two, the US invaded the island, establishing army and radio stations.
ReutersAfter the struggle, American forces remained in Greenland.
In 1951, a defence settlement with Denmark granted the US a big function within the defence of the territory, together with the correct to construct and preserve army bases.
In 1953, the island was made a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders turned Danish residents.
In 1979, a referendum on dwelling rule gave Greenland management of most insurance policies inside the territory, with Denmark retaining management over international affairs and defence.
Greenland has a Danish army presence in addition to an American one.
What do the individuals of Greenland take into consideration Trump and his threats?
In response to Trump’s threats initially of 2026, Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen stated: “No extra strain. No extra insinuations. No extra fantasies of annexation.
“We’re open to dialogue. We’re open to discussions. However this should occur via the right channels and with respect for worldwide regulation.”
When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase repeatedly: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can go to however that is it.”
The difficulty took centre stage in the course of the territory’s basic election that 12 months.
Polling suggests that the majority Greenlanders again independence from Denmark, however that an amazing majority of them additionally reject the concept of turning into a part of the US.
When Trump first raised the concept of shopping for Greenland in 2019, many locals stated they had been against the proposal.
“This can be a very harmful thought,” stated Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator.
“He is treating us like a great he can buy,” stated Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first feminine prime minister.
