Trump Says US Must "Own" Greenland to Block Russia and China

President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric over Greenland, asserting the United States needs outright ownership of the Arctic territory to prevent Russian or Chinese control, raising tensions with Denmark and sparking international concern.

President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Friday to acquire Greenland, declaring the United States must "own" the semi-autonomous Danish territory to defend it properly and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in the strategically vital Arctic region. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump suggested the acquisition could happen "the easy way" or "the hard way," comments that have alarmed European allies and prompted strong pushback from both Denmark and Greenland itself.

The controversy has evolved from a seemingly outlandish proposal during Trump's first presidency into a serious geopolitical flashpoint with implications for NATO unity, territorial sovereignty principles, and Arctic security dynamics.

Trump framed his demand for Greenland in stark national security terms, arguing that lease arrangements with Denmark are insufficient to protect American interests in the region. The president claimed, without providing evidence, that the territory is "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."

"Countries have to have ownership, and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases. And we'll have to defend Greenland," Trump told reporters when questioned by the BBC. He added that long-term lease agreements, even those spanning a century, cannot substitute for actual sovereignty.

"Countries can't make nine-year deals or even 100-year deals," Trump stated. "They had to have ownership."

The president made clear his opposition to Russian or Chinese presence near North America. "I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia," Trump said. "But I don't want them as a neighbour in Greenland, not going to happen. And by the way, NATO's got to understand that."

Despite having the world's lowest population density, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it exceptionally valuable for military early warning systems and monitoring maritime activity. The island's geography provides crucial vantage points for detecting potential missile attacks and tracking vessels in increasingly accessible Arctic waters.

The United States already maintains a significant military presence through Pituffik base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland's northwestern region, where more than 100 military personnel are permanently stationed. The US has operated this facility since World War Two under agreements with Denmark.

Under existing arrangements, the US already has authority to deploy as many troops to Greenland as it deems necessary, making Trump's argument about needing ownership for defense purposes questionable to critics.

Greenlandic and Danish officials have firmly rejected any possibility of the territory changing hands. Greenland's political leaders, including opposition parties, issued a joint statement Friday night emphasizing their determination to remain independent of American sovereignty.

"We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," the statement declared. "The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people."

The leaders called for "US's disregard for our country to end," reflecting growing frustration with Trump's repeated assertions about acquiring the territory.

Denmark has warned that any military action to seize Greenland would effectively end the trans-Atlantic defense alliance, NATO, which has bound North America and Europe together for 75 years. This represents perhaps the strongest rebuke yet from a NATO ally to Trump's proposal.

Denmark's NATO allies, including major European powers and Canada, rallied to its support this week with statements reaffirming that "only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations." These allies emphasized their commitment to Arctic security but insisted it must be achieved "collectively" among partners.

The statements also called for "upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders"—principles that Trump's suggestions appear to challenge.

The controversy has taken on new urgency following Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize President Nicolás Maduro, demonstrating the president's willingness to employ military options when pursuing foreign policy objectives.

Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland in 2019 during his initial presidential term, an offer Denmark immediately rejected as absurd. The White House recently confirmed the administration is considering buying the territory but notably refused to rule out military annexation.

Beyond strategic considerations, Greenland has attracted international interest for its natural resources. The territory holds significant deposits of rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron, which are becoming more accessible as climate change melts Arctic ice. Scientists believe Greenland may also possess substantial oil and gas reserves.

These resources have strategic value beyond their economic worth, particularly rare earth minerals essential for modern technology and defense applications. China currently dominates global rare earth production, making alternative sources strategically important to Western nations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to hold talks with Denmark next week, providing the first high-level diplomatic engagement on the issue since Trump's latest comments. These discussions will test whether the administration intends to pursue its Greenland ambitions through diplomatic channels or continues escalating rhetoric.

For Ghana and other African nations, the situation offers a sobering reminder of how great power competition can override established international norms, potentially emboldening territorial claims elsewhere. The principle of territorial integrity that Trump's approach challenges forms a cornerstone of the post-colonial international order that African nations rely upon for protection against external interference.

How this unprecedented situation resolves will have implications far beyond the Arctic, potentially reshaping NATO, international law, and the balance of power in an increasingly contested global order.