Trump Weighs Military Force or Purchase to Take Greenland From Denmark

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump is weighing options for the United States to take control of Greenland from Denmark, including the possible use of military force or an attempt to purchase the Arctic territory, raising fresh questions about U.S. relations with a NATO ally and the future of alliance unity. The White House said recently that Trump and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue what it described as an important foreign policy goal. Details of the discussions were not immediately available. Trump argued in remarks made in recent days that Greenland is critical for U.S. national security, pointing to alleged activity by Russia and China in surrounding waters. “I will say this about Greenland. We need Greenland from a national security situation. It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not gonna be able to do it, I can tell you,” Trump said. The precise locations of the vessels Trump cited were not specified, and it remained unclear which waters he was referencing. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and Denmark is a NATO member. The United States already maintains a military presence on the island, including a base that was formerly operated as an Air Force installation and is now a Space Force base. Some analysts have questioned what would be gained by transferring sovereignty to the United States, given that Denmark and Greenland have historically cooperated with U.S. defense activities in the Arctic. The legal basis for any potential U.S. military action against Greenland also has not been publicly laid out, and officials have not clarified what authorities would be cited. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested to lawmakers that the United States may be willing to purchase Greenland. Leaders in Denmark and Greenland have said the territory is not for sale. European NATO leaders also weighed in, issuing a joint statement that emphasized Greenland’s right to self-determination and the alliance’s broader obligations. The statement said Greenland belongs to its people and that decisions about Denmark and Greenland rest with them. The leaders also said security in the Arctic is a priority for Europe and argued that NATO should work collectively with the United States to defend the region. The statement also underscored principles in the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, calling them universal principles that must be defended. Questions remain about how NATO would respond if the United States pursued control of Greenland over Danish objections. Officials in Denmark have warned that such a move would effectively end NATO, though no broader alliance position has been publicly detailed. Trump has discussed Greenland since his inauguration, and administration officials have not provided a timeline for any decision. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.