United States President Donald Trump is considering a range of options, including the possible use of military force, to take control of Greenland, a move that has triggered strong reactions from Denmark and raised concerns about the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that the US leader has intensified discussions around Greenland, describing the mineral rich Arctic territory as a national security priority. The renewed interest follows recent geopolitical developments and Washington’s growing focus on countering the influence of Russia and China in the Arctic region.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump and his advisers were reviewing several approaches to achieving control of Greenland. She stated that while diplomatic avenues were being considered, the use of the military remained within the president’s authority.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers that Trump’s preferred option was to purchase Greenland from Denmark. The report added that the discussions did not suggest an immediate plan for military action.
Denmark reacted sharply to the development, warning that any attempt to seize Greenland by force would have grave consequences. Danish officials said such a move could effectively end decades of close security cooperation and undermine the NATO alliance, which is built on the principle of collective defence.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, rejected the idea outright, insisting that the island was not for sale. He stressed that decisions about Greenland’s future rest solely with its population of about 57,000 people. Greenland’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, also expressed frustration, noting that efforts to engage US officials in dialogue throughout 2025 had not yielded results.
European allies rallied around Denmark, with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain issuing a joint statement affirming their commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. French President Emmanuel Macron said he could not envision any situation in which the United States would violate Danish sovereignty.
The United States currently maintains a limited military presence in Greenland, with about 150 personnel stationed at the Pituffik Space Base. Despite this, residents of the territory have voiced opposition to Trump’s remarks, describing them as unacceptable and inconsistent with international norms.
In Washington, the proposal also faced resistance from both parties. Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike criticised the idea of military action against Greenland. House Speaker Mike Johnson said such a move would be inappropriate, while several senators warned that it could lead to the collapse of NATO.
Trump has floated the idea of acquiring Greenland since his first term, but the latest statements have elevated the issue into a serious diplomatic flashpoint, with implications for global security and alliance politics.
