Trump Greenland: US weighs control of Arctic island for security

Washington keeps up pressure as the Trump administration signals strategic interest in Greenland

Money — or, at least in theory, weapons. Purchase or conquest. Donald Trump wants Greenland, and the United States appears convinced that, one way or another, it will end up controlling the island, viewed as critical to American national security because of Russia and China’s growing presence in the Arctic. Pressure from Washington has been constant, voiced through statements and briefings by members of the administration.

The latest escalation came from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who told AFP that Trump Greenland policy is now framed as a core security issue. “President Trump has made it clear that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority for the United States and is essential to deterring our adversaries in the Arctic region,” Leavitt said.

She added that “the president and his team are discussing multiple options to pursue this important foreign policy objective, and of course the use of US military force is always an option available to the commander in chief.” Danish officials have previously warned that such a move would effectively mark the end of NATO.

In recent hours, comments by Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s closest advisers, have also drawn attention. Speaking to CNN, Miller said no country would challenge the United States militarily over Trump Greenland ambitions. “We live in the real world, governed by power and strength. These are the rules that have shaped the world since the beginning of time,” he said.

Miller went further, questioning Denmark’s sovereignty over the territory by suggesting Greenland could be considered a “Danish colony” and asking on what legal basis Copenhagen claims the island. Greenland, while part of the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoys broad autonomy and is not a member of the European Union.

This line of argument aligns with reporting by The Economist, which says Washington has explored a direct agreement with Greenland that would bypass Denmark altogether. According to the magazine, the Trump administration has considered proposing a “Compact of Free Association,” an arrangement the United States already uses with several Pacific nations. Such a deal would allow US forces to operate freely on Greenlandic territory in exchange for economic and commercial benefits.

American officials reportedly describe the proposal as advantageous for Greenland, promising privileged access to the US market and potential investment, while reinforcing Washington’s strategic footprint in the Arctic. However, attempts to establish direct contacts with Greenland’s government have so far faced resistance from both Greenlandic and Danish authorities.

Another so-called peaceful option, cited by The Wall Street Journal, is the outright purchase of the island. The newspaper reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined this strategy to members of Congress during a closed-door briefing. The comments came as the White House adopted increasingly aggressive rhetoric about controlling Greenland, with Trump and senior officials publicly refusing to rule out the use of force.

According to the WSJ, Rubio spoke at length during a meeting that also addressed operations targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and broader plans for Venezuela’s future. While US and European officials say they have seen no concrete signs of preparations for a military invasion, Rubio reportedly downplayed the idea that the United States would seize Greenland by force.

Still, diplomatic tensions are rising. Greenland and Denmark have both requested urgent meetings with Rubio, Greenland’s foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt said, explaining that the goal is to discuss “the significant statements made by the United States regarding Greenland.” She added that despite repeated requests throughout 2025, Rubio has yet to meet Greenland’s government.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen echoed the call, saying a meeting was needed to “clear up some misunderstandings” and stressing that it was time to engage directly with US counterparts.

In the background, the European Union responded with a joint statement signed by the leaders of Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. The statement reaffirmed that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and for transatlantic security, noting that NATO has identified the Arctic as a strategic region.

The leaders emphasized that the Kingdom of Denmark — including Greenland — is a NATO member and insisted that Arctic security must be ensured collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, while respecting the principles of the UN Charter such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.

The White House responded with a statement sent to CNN by spokesperson Anna Kelly, reiterating that Trump Greenland policy reflects the president’s belief that the island is strategically vital. According to the statement, Trump is confident that Greenlanders would be better protected by the United States against modern threats emerging in the Arctic region.

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