> At a Glance
> – The White House labeled acquiring Greenland a “national security priority” and said military force is an option
> – European allies including Denmark warned they will “not stop defending” Greenland’s sovereignty
> – Options under review: purchase, military pressure, or a free-association compact
> – Why it matters: A U.S. move on the NATO territory could fracture the alliance and reshape Arctic geopolitics
President Trump’s administration escalated its public campaign to absorb Greenland, with the White House confirming the U.S. military could be used and sparking a swift pledge from key European powers to defend the island’s sovereignty.
National Security Justification
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Tuesday:
> “President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.”
She added that the President and his team are reviewing multiple paths to achieve the goal, noting:
> “Utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal.”
European Pushback
Hours later, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark issued a joint statement:
> “We will not stop defending the values of sovereignty and Greenland’s territorial integrity. Greenland belongs to its people.”
They emphasized that Denmark and Greenland alone decide their affairs and that Arctic security must remain a collective NATO effort under UN principles.
Non-Military Options
A senior official told NBC News the administration is also considering:
- Purchasing Greenland from Denmark
- Creating a compact of free association, similar to U.S. deals with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau
Such agreements typically exchange financial aid for U.S. security access; America has maintained a military base on Greenland for decades.
Internal Doubts
House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected armed action:
> “No, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly floated the purchase idea during a classified Monday briefing, though Johnson said it may have been “in jest.”
Rising Tensions
- Trump named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry special envoy to Greenland last month
- Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy, called U.S. ownership the administration’s formal position and questioned Denmark’s legal claim
- Danish PM Mette Frederiksen warned that military aggression against a NATO ally would mean “everything stops”
Timeline of Key Claims
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1916 | U.S. pledges not to oppose Danish control over Greenland in Virgin Islands purchase deal |
| Jan 2025 | Trump again floats military options for Greenland and Panama Canal, pre-inauguration |
| Last month | Trump taps Landry as envoy, alarming Danish officials |
| Monday | Trump tells NBC he is “very serious” about acquisition |
| Tuesday | White House declares Greenland a security priority; European allies respond |
Key Takeaways
- The administration frames Greenland as essential for Arctic security and minerals
- NATO rift widens as European allies vow to defend Denmark’s sovereignty
- Purchase or compact deals remain on the table alongside military pressure
- Top congressional Republicans split on using force
- Trump’s renewed focus follows the recent Venezuela intervention, spurring allied concern
With bipartisan unease at home and staunch resistance abroad, the President’s push to redraw Arctic maps is testing alliances and constitutional limits.
