U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Wednesday that American control of Greenland is essential for national security and for his planned “Golden Dome” air and missile defence system, intensifying pressure on Denmark and Greenland ahead of high-level talks in Washington.
In posts on social media, Trump said the United States “needs Greenland for the purpose of national security” and that NATO “becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES,” adding that anything less was “unacceptable.” He warned that if the U.S. did not secure the Arctic island, rival powers such as Russia or China could do so.
The comments came as Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers prepared to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House to discuss the territory’s future.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and hosts strategic U.S. military facilities. Trump has revived long-standing ambitions to bring Greenland under direct U.S. control, a goal he linked to broader defence priorities and NATO’s deterrence capabilities.
Denmark has firmly rejected any suggestion of ceding control of Greenland. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Copenhagen was boosting its military presence on the island and engaging allies on increased NATO activity in the Arctic.
Greenlandic officials have similarly resisted U.S. overtures. Authorities have emphasised the territory’s commitment to Denmark and NATO and rejected the notion of American ownership or governance, stressing the importance of multilateral defence arrangements.
European leaders, including counterparts from the EU, have backed Copenhagen and Greenland, underscoring their right to determine their own future and warning that unilateral action could strain NATO unity.
Trump’s proposal has drawn domestic and international scrutiny, including bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate aimed at preventing the military occupation or annexation of NATO territories, including Greenland.
The president’s renewed push for control of Greenland marks a significant diplomatic flashpoint, raising concerns about alliance cohesion and the future of Arctic security cooperation.
Wednesday’s discussions in Washington are expected to address these tensions, with both sides seeking to balance strategic interests and respect for sovereignty.
