The White Home says Donald Trump and his shut advisers are discussing choices for taking up Greenland, because the US president continues to argue it might profit his nation’s safety.
His calls for have been rejected by the island’s leaders and by Nato member Denmark, of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory.
The place is Greenland and why does it matter to Trump?
Greenland – the world’s largest island which isn’t a continent – is positioned within the Arctic.
It is usually probably the most sparsely populated territory. About 56,000 individuals dwell there, principally indigenous Inuit individuals.
About 80% of its territory is roofed by ice, which means most individuals dwell on the south-western coast across the capital, Nuuk.
Greenland’s financial system is especially based mostly on fishing, and it receives giant subsidies from the Danish authorities.
However lately, there was elevated curiosity in Greenland’s pure sources, together with mining for uncommon earth minerals, uranium and iron. These could change into extra accessible as international warming results in the melting of the huge ice sheet that covers the island.
Helpful mineral sources have been a key focus of Trump elsewhere on the planet, together with in his dealings with Ukraine.
Nevertheless, the US president has stated: “We’d like Greenland for nationwide safety, not minerals.”
He has additionally stated that “Greenland is roofed with Russian and Chinese language ships in every single place”.
Many Republican lawmakers share the view that US safety is in danger from the 2 nations which are typically deemed US adversaries.
What has Trump stated concerning the US controlling Greenland?
Trump repeated earlier requires the US to take over Greenland following the US navy raid on Venezuela, throughout which its president Nicolás Maduro and his spouse have been seized and eliminated to New York.
The island’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying “that is sufficient now”, describing the thought of US management as a “fantasy”.
However Trump and his allies went on to reiterate their threats. The president stated he was “very severe” about his plans, including that Greenland was vital for European in addition to American safety.
Certainly one of his prime aides, Stephen Miller, stated “no one’s going to combat the US over the way forward for Greenland”.
The US has not dominated out utilizing the armed forces to take management of the territory. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth informed a congressional listening to in June that the Pentagon had “contingency plans”.
Just a few days after the Venezuela operation, the White Home stated Trump and his crew have been discussing choices to accumulate Greenland, together with “using the US navy”.
In 2019, throughout his first presidential time period, Trump supplied to purchase the island however was informed it was not on the market.
He revived his curiosity after returning to the White Home in January 2025, and has not dominated out the usage of power.
There have additionally been controversial excessive degree visits to Greenland. Vice-President JD Vance travelled there in March and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to speculate sufficient to guard the territory.
A recent row about US intentions was sparked in late 2025 when Trump appointed a particular envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who has overtly spoken about making the island part of the US.
What have Denmark and different Nato allies stated?
Trump’s stance has shocked Denmark, which has historically loved shut relations with Washington, in keeping with BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any effort to take over Greenland would spell the tip of Nato.
His UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer, one other Nato chief, was requested whether or not he would say “palms off Greenland” to Trump. He answered: “Sure.”
Starmer signed a press release alongside the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark, which stated: “Greenland belongs to its individuals, and solely Denmark and Greenland can determine on issues regarding their relations.”
Why does Denmark management Greenland?
Although part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been managed by Denmark – practically 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.
However the US safety curiosity in Greenland additionally dates again a good distance, and two American administrations earlier than Trump made failed efforts to accumulate it.
The island was ruled as a colony till the mid-Twentieth Century. For a lot of this time, it remained remoted and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark throughout World Warfare Two, the US invaded the island, establishing navy and radio stations.
After the warfare, American forces remained in Greenland. Pituffik House Base, previously generally known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US ever since.
In 1951, a defence settlement with Denmark granted the US a major function within the defence of the territory, together with the proper to construct and preserve navy bases.
In 1953, the island was made a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders grew to become Danish residents.
In 1979, a referendum on residence rule gave Greenland management of most insurance policies throughout the territory, with Denmark retaining management over international affairs and defence.
Greenland is residence to Danish navy bases in addition to American ones.
ReutersWhat do the individuals of Greenland assume?
In response to Trump’s threats early in 2026, Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen stated: “No extra stress. No extra insinuations. No extra fantasies of annexation.
“We’re open to dialogue. We’re open to discussions. However this should occur by the correct channels and with respect for worldwide legislation.”
When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase repeatedly: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can go to however that is it.”
The problem took centre stage through the territory’s common election that yr.
Polling suggests that the majority Greenlanders again independence from Denmark, however that an awesome majority of them additionally reject the thought of turning into a part of the US.
When Trump first raised the thought of shopping for Greenland in 2019, many locals stated they have been against the proposal.
“It is a very harmful thought,” stated Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator.
“He is treating us like a superb he can buy,” stated Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first feminine prime minister.
