The White House says Donald Trump and his close advisers are discussing options to take control of Greenland, as the US president continues to argue it would benefit his country’s security.
His demands were rejected by the island’s leaders and by NATO member Denmark, of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory.
Where is Greenland and why is it important to Trump?
Greenland, the world’s largest island that is not a continent, is located in the Arctic.
It is also the least populated territory. About 56,000 people live there, most of them indigenous Inuit.
Around 80% of its territory is covered in ice, meaning most people live on the southwest coast, around the capital Nuuk.
Greenland’s economy is primarily based on fishing and receives large subsidies from the Danish government.
But in recent years there has been increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including mining for rare earths, uranium and iron. These could become more accessible as global warming causes the immense ice sheet that covers the island to melt.
Valuable mineral resources have been a focus of Trump’s concerns elsewhere in the world, including in his dealings with Ukraine.
However, the US president said: “We need Greenland for national security, not for its minerals. »
He also said that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships everywhere.”
Many Republican lawmakers share the view that U.S. security is threatened by the two countries that are often seen as adversaries of the United States.
What did Trump say about US control of Greenland?
Trump reiterated his previous calls for the United States to take control of Greenland following the US military raid on Venezuela, in which its President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were arrested and transferred to New York.
The island’s Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, responded by saying “enough is enough now”, calling the idea of US control a “fantasy”.
But Trump and his allies repeated their threats. The president said he was “very serious” about his plans, adding that Greenland was important for European security as well as American security.
One of his top aides, Stephen Miller, said “no one is going to fight the United States over the future of Greenland.”
The United States has not ruled out using armed forces to take control of the territory. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a congressional hearing in June that the Pentagon had “contingency plans.”
Days after the Venezuela operation, the White House said Trump and his team were discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including “using the U.S. military.”
In 2019, during his first presidential term, Trump offered to buy the island, but was told it was not for sale.
He revived his interest after returning to the White House in January 2025 and has not ruled out the use of force.
Controversial high-level visits have also taken place in Greenland. Vice President JD Vance visited in March and gave a speech accusing Denmark of not investing enough to protect the territory.
A new row over US intentions erupted in late 2025 when Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who has openly spoken about integrating the island into the United States.
What did Denmark and other NATO allies say?
Trump’s stance shocked Denmark, which traditionally has close relations with Washington, according to BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would mean the end of NATO.
His British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer, another NATO leader, was asked if he would say “hands off Greenland” to Trump. He replied: “Yes”.
Starmer signed a statement alongside the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark, saying: “Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relationship.”
Why does Denmark control Greenland?
Although part of the North American continent, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – almost 3,000 km (1,860 miles) away – for around 300 years.
But U.S. security interest in Greenland also goes back a long way, and two U.S. administrations before Trump tried unsuccessfully to acquire it.
The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th century. For much of this period, she remained isolated and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the United States invaded the island, establishing military stations and radio stations there.
After the war, American forces remained in Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has since been operated by the United States.
In 1951, a defense agreement with Denmark gave the United States a significant role in homeland defense, including the right to build and maintain military bases.
In 1953, the island became part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.
In 1979, a referendum on national autonomy gave Greenland control of most policies in the territory, with Denmark retaining control of foreign affairs and defense.
Greenland is home to Danish as well as American military bases.
Reuters
What do the Greenlanders think?
In response to Trump’s threats in early 2026, Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen said: “No more pressure. No more innuendo. No more annexation fantasies.
“We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But it must be done through appropriate channels and in compliance with international law.”
When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase over and over: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. So Trump can go there, but that’s it.”
The issue took center stage during the territory’s general election that year.
Polls suggest that most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but an overwhelming majority also reject the idea of becoming part of the United States.
When Trump first raised the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, many locals said they were opposed to the proposal.
“It’s a very dangerous idea,” said Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator.
“He treats us like a commodity he can buy,” said Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first female prime minister.
