Donald Trump, president of the United States, says that Denmark must cede Greenland to the United States “the easy way” or “the hard way”.
Greenland is an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, having moved from colonial governance in 1953 to home rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009.
Denmark continues to control the territory’s foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy, while Greenland handles internal matters including education and health.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his desire to acquire the Danish-administered Arctic island, declaring that it is “critical” for both national and economic security.
The idea first surfaced publicly in 2019 during his initial term when he offered to purchase Greenland, only to be informed the territory was not on the market.
On Friday, Trump asserted that the United States would obtain Greenland “whether they like it or not” and insisted the move was necessary because “if we don’t do it, China or Russia will”.
He added that the US must have “ownership” of the island because “you don’t defend leases the same way — you have to own it”.
The remarks followed a statement from Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, that military action remained “always an option” in securing control of Greenland.
Greenlandic authorities have firmly rejected these suggestions, insisting that the territory is not for sale and reaffirming that decisions about its future must rest with its people.
Denmark’s government has likewise maintained that Greenland is not on offer, affirming the island belongs to its inhabitants and that sovereignty must be respected.
Concerns about Greenland’s future intensified after a recent US military operation in Venezuela, fuelling debate over American strategic ambitions in the Arctic.
Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, is scheduled to hold talks with Danish leaders in the coming week amid rising diplomatic tensions.