The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump considers acquiring Greenland a top national security priority, with the use of US military force remaining “always an option” under discussion.
In a statement responding to media inquiries, the administration emphasized Trump’s longstanding view that control of the vast Arctic island is essential to counter adversaries in the region. “President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the statement read. It added that a “range of options” are being explored, including military involvement as a tool available to the commander-in-chief.
Trump has revived his interest in Greenland – first publicly floated in 2019 – in recent weeks, arguing that Denmark has failed to adequately defend the territory. The rhetoric has intensified following a recent US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the seizure of its leader, raising fears of similar actions elsewhere.
Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark with a population of about 57,000, has firmly rejected any notion of becoming part of the United States. Its strategic position hosts key US ballistic missile defense infrastructure, while its untapped mineral resources are seen as vital for reducing dependence on Chinese supplies.
European leaders swiftly condemned the US stance in a joint statement from the heads of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark. “Greenland belongs to its people,” they declared. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.” The statement stressed that Arctic security should be pursued collectively through NATO, noting increased investments by European allies to deter threats.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk underscored European solidarity, warning that intra-alliance aggression would undermine NATO’s purpose. The Netherlands also expressed full support.
Adding to tensions, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed concerns over sovereignty and international norms in a CNN interview. “We live in a world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power,” he said, asserting that no one would militarily challenge the US over Greenland.
Hours after the Venezuela operation, Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, posted an image on X of Greenland overlaid with the American flag, captioned “SOON.”
In response to US criticisms of Arctic defense, Denmark committed 42 billion Danish crowns ($6.58 billion) last year to enhance its military presence in the region.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen sought to calm fears, stating his government aims to deepen ties with the US while assuring citizens that no immediate takeover is imminent.
Legal expert Professor Graham Butler from the University of Southern Denmark described Trump’s remarks as a genuine threat, highlighting decades of US-Arctic involvement through bilateral agreements. He noted that Greenland’s path to self-determination has historically meant independence from Denmark, not integration with another power, and that enhanced security cooperation could be achieved without annexation.
The escalating dispute has strained transatlantic relations, with European allies reaffirming commitment to NATO while warning against unilateral actions that could fracture the alliance.
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