President Trump doubles down on annexing Greenland, saying it’ll happen ‘one way or the other’
President Donald Trump says controlling the Danish self-governing territory of Greenland is crucial for US national security (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would acquire Greenland “one way or the other,” arguing that U.S. control of the island is essential to prevent Russia or China from expanding their influence in the Arctic.
Trump said the mineral-rich territory, which is an autonomous region within the Kingdom of Denmark, is critical to U.S. national security due to increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the region.
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Although neither Russia nor China has formally claimed the island, Trump said he would be open to negotiating with Greenland’s self-governing authorities, adding that the outcome was inevitable. “One way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” he said.
Trump’s remarks drew strong reactions from Denmark and other European allies, who expressed alarm at the idea of the United States taking control of the strategically located island. Greenland sits between North America and the Arctic and has hosted a U.S. military base since World War II.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 and gained home rule in 1979. While discussions about greater independence from Denmark continue, most of Greenland’s population and political parties have said they oppose U.S. control and maintain that Greenlanders alone should determine their future.
Trump rejected that position, warning that Greenland risks falling under Russian or Chinese influence. “Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” he said, criticizing the island’s limited defenses. “You know what their defense is, two dog sleds,” Trump remarked, contrasting it with what he described as Russia’s and China’s naval presence in the region.
Denmark’s prime minister said last week that any attempt by the United States to take Greenland by force would severely damage decades of transatlantic security cooperation. Trump dismissed the concern, saying, “If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, Greenland needs us much more than we need them.”
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