Trump says US must take over Greenland to block Russia, China

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States must take control of Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining a strategic foothold in the Arctic.

Trump, who was speaking at a meeting with oil industry representatives at the White House, renewed remarks that have already strained ties with NATO allies, particularly Denmark.

“If we don’t take Greenland, you’re going to have Russia or China as your next-door neighbor. That’s not going to happen,” Trump said while speaking at the meeting at the White House. “I would like to make a deal the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”

Trump questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom, dismissing historical claims to the vast, resource-rich island.

“I’m a fan of Denmark,” he said, “but, you know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean that they own the land.”

The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the United States and several NATO allies over Trump’s repeated assertions that Washington should assume control of Greenland, citing national security concerns linked to growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.

Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any such move.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US attack on Greenland would mark the end of NATO and the post–Second World War security architecture.

Despite this, Trump insisted he remains a strong supporter of the alliance.

“NATO’s got to understand that,” Trump said. “I’m all for NATO. I saved NATO. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have NATO right now.”

Greenland’s strategic importance has grown as melting Arctic ice opens new shipping routes and access to untapped natural resources, drawing increased attention from global powers. Both Copenhagen and Greenland’s local government have repeatedly stated that the territory is not for sale and that its future will be decided by its people.