NATO cannot effectively deter China and Russia unless the United States takes control of Greenland, and anything short of that is “unacceptable,” President Trump said Wednesday.
Trump aimed the warning at European leaders who are insisting that Denmark, a NATO member, must retain control of the strategically located island. He made the remarks in a post on Truth Social.
“Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent — Not even close!” Trump said. “They know that, and so do I.”
Trump has pressed for the annexation of Greenland for years, arguing the island is critical to U.S. and allied security.
Renewed attention to Greenland followed Trump’s dramatic move to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, part of what allies have dubbed his aggressive “Don-roe Doctrine” in the Western Hemisphere.
The president has said Greenland is essential to national defense and to his plan to build a “Golden Dome,” a missile defense system intended to shield the U.S. from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile attacks.
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get [Greenland]. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” Trump said in the post.
Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen met Wednesday with Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Trump’s demands.
Greenland governs most of its internal affairs, but Denmark still controls defense and foreign policy. The island can declare full independence through legislation, though political leaders remain divided over how and when to break from Denmark.
On Tuesday, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen framed the international dispute as a stark choice.
“We face a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S. and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark,” Nielsen said. “We stand united in the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Trump and his Republican allies showed no signs of backing down.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum fueled the debate Wednesday by posting a graphic on X labeled “The New Interior,” highlighting flight times of 6.5 hours from Washington to Nuuk, Greenland, and 7.5 hours from Washington to Anchorage, Alaska.
Burgum also echoed Trump’s argument that Greenland is key to the planned Golden Dome defense system, expanding on the proposal during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s show.
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