Trump Insists On Buying Greenland, Copenhagen Denies
The Chronify
Trump said the territory was strategically critical. “You see Russian and Chinese ships all over the area. Greenland is a big deal, and we have to have it,” he added.
President Donald Trump has said the United States requires Greenland for national security, pointing to what he claimed was growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump argued that Denmark, which administers the semi-autonomous territory, is failing to provide adequate military protection.
“We need Greenland for national protection,” he said, stressing that the issue was about security rather than access to natural resources. “This is not about minerals. It’s about national security.”
Trump made the remarks after appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, describing him as “a deal guy” well suited for the role.
Citing alleged foreign naval activity near Greenland’s coastline, Trump said the territory was strategically critical. “You see Russian and Chinese ships all over the area. Greenland is a big deal, and we have to have it,” he added.
Denmark rejects remarks
The comments prompted immediate rejection from Danish and Greenlandic leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement that Greenland is not for sale and belongs to its people.
“You cannot annex another country, even under the argument of international security,” the statement said.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark would summon US Ambassador Kenneth A. Howery to seek clarification over the appointment of a US envoy. Landry later said on X that he was honoured by the appointment and that the role would not interfere with his duties as Louisiana governor.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-governance in 2009 following a referendum. While the territory now controls most domestic affairs, Denmark continues to oversee foreign policy, defence and security.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump argued that Denmark, which administers the semi-autonomous territory, is failing to provide adequate military protection.
“We need Greenland for national protection,” he said, stressing that the issue was about security rather than access to natural resources. “This is not about minerals. It’s about national security.”
Trump made the remarks after appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, describing him as “a deal guy” well suited for the role.
Citing alleged foreign naval activity near Greenland’s coastline, Trump said the territory was strategically critical. “You see Russian and Chinese ships all over the area. Greenland is a big deal, and we have to have it,” he added.
Denmark rejects remarks
The comments prompted immediate rejection from Danish and Greenlandic leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement that Greenland is not for sale and belongs to its people.
“You cannot annex another country, even under the argument of international security,” the statement said.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark would summon US Ambassador Kenneth A. Howery to seek clarification over the appointment of a US envoy. Landry later said on X that he was honoured by the appointment and that the role would not interfere with his duties as Louisiana governor.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-governance in 2009 following a referendum. While the territory now controls most domestic affairs, Denmark continues to oversee foreign policy, defence and security.
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