Trump Pushes to Own Greenland to Counter Russia, China in Arctic
Trump Pushes to Own Greenland to Counter Russia, China in Arctic
Trump argues the U.S. must own Greenland to curb Russia and China’s Arctic expansion, signaling tough moves that could reshape NATO and Danish ties.
In a string of remarks, Donald Trump said the United States should own Greenland, arguing that ownership, not leaseholds, is the bedrock of defense and long-term security in the Arctic. He warned that if Washington does not act, Russia or China will move in as neighbors, and he insisted the deal should be pursued the easy way.
Trump pressed the point that ownership means defense, contrasting ownership with leases, and tied the issue to NATO and American leadership. He claimed NATO’s survival rests in part on U.S. action in the Arctic, claiming that he helped save NATO and that it would not be there otherwise.
Greenland’s government and Denmark have rejected a sale, with reports of discussions about incentives for Greenlanders to separate from Denmark, moves denied by Copenhagen. Analysts say any push to buy or seed secession would inflame diplomatic tensions and raise questions about legality and consequences for Greenland’s autonomy.
The Arctic is a theater of resource wealth and strategic shipping routes. The prospect of U.S. ownership would upend longstanding standoffs and require careful diplomacy with Denmark, Greenland’s local authorities, and NATO allies. Observers caution that even if feasible, such a move could heighten tensions with Moscow and Beijing, reshaping alliance calculations as Arctic competition intensifies.
