June 27, 2025 – Washington & Copenhagen — In a move that reignited diplomatic shockwaves, former President Donald Trump stated he “doesn’t rule out” using military force to gain control of Greenland—an autonomous territory of Denmark and a fellow NATO ally.
What Trump Said
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press in early May, Trump remarked:
“I don’t rule it out. I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything … We need Greenland very badly … for international security.” reuters.com+7theguardian.com+7theguardian.com+7theguardian.com
Trump has repeatedly underscored Greenland’s strategic significance, citing its location along key northern routes and its wealth of natural resources, including rare minerals essential for advanced technology and defense reuters.com.
Denmark’s Fierce Response
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Trump’s comments as “insulting,” reinforcing that “Greenland is not for sale.” reuters.com+1reuters.com+1 The sentiment echoed widely in Copenhagen and Nuuk, as Greenland’s leaders made clear: control of the island will remain in the hands of Denmark and the Greenlandic people reddit.com+6reuters.com+6reuters.com+6.
A top Danish general later stated that the threat of U.S. military acquisition never keeps him awake, emphasizing that Denmark—and NATO—are already robustly present in Greenland through exercises, naval deployments, air defense, and surveillance satellites reuters.com.
The Strategic Stakes
Greenland hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base and oversees key early-warning systems for North American missile defense. The island itself anchors the GIUK gap, a critical pathway for global naval movement, especially for Russia and China reuters.com+1reddit.com+1.
Trump’s comments about military options have unsettled Europe. German, Canadian, and NATO officials stressed that altering a global ally’s territorial status by force would violate post–World War II principles of national sovereignty .
Alternatives on the Table
Following Trump’s remarks, U.S. officials reportedly investigated alternative diplomatic frameworks, such as a Compact of Free Association akin to agreements with Micronesia or Palau. This arrangement would grant military and economic privileges to the U.S. without triggering formal annexation—yet the proposal still faced resistance from both Danish officials and Greenlanders reuters.com.
Ground-Level & Regional Reactions
- Greenlanders remain overwhelmingly against integration into the U.S., with over 85% opposing any acquisition effort reuters.com+1reuters.com+1.
- European governments reaffirm the inviolability of borders, even as they quietly process the implications of Trump’s remarks reuters.com.
- Russia has stated that Greenland lies within its sphere of strategic interest, cautioning against destabilizing Arctic geopolitics apnews.com+3businessinsider.com+3thetimes.co.uk+3.
Final Take
Trump’s warning that military force remains an option flies in the face of nearly six decades of diplomatic norms. While legal and logistic barriers make any U.S. annexation highly improbable, his comments have prompted Copenhagen to reaffirm its control over Greenland, strengthen Arctic defense mechanisms, and rally international support.
Far from a closed page, the episode underscores Greenland’s emerging role at the center of Arctic geopolitics and the fragility of alliances when sovereignty is challenged.
