President Donald Trump on Friday made his intentions regarding Greenland unmistakably clear, arguing that U.S. control of the strategically located territory is essential to countering growing aggression from Russia and China.
Speaking to reporters at the White House during a roundtable with oil executives focused on revitalizing Venezuela’s oil industry, Trump said the United States would move to take control of Greenland either through negotiation or by other means. While he emphasized a preference for striking a deal, the president made clear that inaction was not an option.
“Right now, we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” Trump said. “Because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland. And we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”
Trump said he would prefer to pursue the “easy way” by making a deal but warned there was also a “hard way,” though he did not elaborate on what that might involve. His remarks underscore how central Greenland has become to his broader foreign policy agenda, particularly following recent U.S. action in Venezuela.
Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration’s stance on the territory’s strategic value, saying the U.S. military “is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal” when national security is at stake. Trump has periodically floated the idea of acquiring Greenland throughout his second term, but in recent days the issue has taken on new urgency.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility of military action is part of Trump’s negotiating strategy, while stressing that the president’s preferred approach is to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Denmark oversees the autonomous territory and is a member of NATO.
Rubio’s comments came as leaders in Greenland and Denmark pushed back on Trump’s renewed interest and sought direct talks with U.S. officials. Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeld said the territory has repeatedly requested meetings with Washington but has not received a response.
“The strong request for a meeting is related to the U.S.’s claims about our country,” Motzfeld said, adding that Greenland’s attempts to engage the U.S. had so far been unsuccessful.
Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen also requested talks, and Rubio is expected to meet with Danish officials next week. Trump’s remarks have triggered concern among European allies and Canada, several of which issued a joint statement emphasizing that Greenland’s future should be decided solely by Denmark and Greenland.
France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark said in the statement that “Greenland belongs to its people” and rejected outside interference. Canada and the Netherlands later endorsed that position.
Despite the pushback, Trump has doubled down on his argument that Greenland is vital to U.S. and Western security. He told reporters on Sunday that America needs Greenland “from the standpoint of national security” and claimed the European Union understands the importance of U.S. control of the territory.
Trump adviser Stephen Miller echoed that confidence, saying earlier this week that “nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”
Some Republicans have also weighed in, distancing themselves from the idea of using force. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not believe military action would be appropriate. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana was even more blunt, saying that invading Greenland would be “weapons-grade stupid,” while adding that Trump and Rubio have no intention of doing so.
“President Trump is not weapons-grade stupid,” Kennedy said, emphasizing that the administration’s focus remains on leverage and negotiation rather than invasion.
As Trump continues to frame Greenland as a frontline issue in the competition with global rivals, his comments signal that the territory will remain a flashpoint in U.S. foreign policy discussions in the months ahead.
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