US President Donald Trump has once again suggested that the United States may take control of Greenland, warning that Washington must act or risk Russia and China stepping in. Speaking to reporters during a meeting with senior oil and gas executives on Friday, Trump said the US does not want Moscow or Beijing as its “neighbours” in the Arctic.
“We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” Trump said. “I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Trump also questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, arguing that a historical landing centuries ago did not establish legitimate ownership. While describing himself as a “fan of Denmark”, he said US ownership of Greenland was necessary for national defence. “You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it,” he said, adding that Nato should understand the strategic importance of the territory.
The comments have triggered strong reactions in Denmark and Greenland. Danish authorities have reportedly warned that their troops are prepared to respond firmly to any threat. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump’s claims that the US “needs” Greenland for security, calling them unacceptable and stressing that national borders must be respected. She warned that an attack on a Nato member would fundamentally undermine the alliance.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, is rich in natural resources such as rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, but Denmark firmly rejected the proposal. However, he has continued to argue that the island is strategically vital, especially amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
Trump has also linked his foreign policy stance to recent US military action in Venezuela, claiming that without US intervention, China or Russia would have expanded their influence there.
During the same interaction, Trump sharply criticised wind energy, calling it expensive, inefficient and damaging to the environment. He claimed that China manufactures wind turbines while relying on fossil fuels for its own energy needs, accusing Western countries of being misled into adopting wind power.
His remarks came shortly after he signed a memorandum directing the US to withdraw from dozens of international organisations and treaties deemed “contrary to US interests”. According to the White House, this includes withdrawal from several UN bodies and international groups such as the International Solar Alliance, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and environmental organisations including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
