 "This combination of file pictures created in Berlin on January 12, 2026 shows Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (L, in Berlin on December 15, 2025) and US President Donald Trump (at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026).- AFP")
US President Donald Trump has hardened his stance on Greenland ahead of high-stakes talks with Danish and Greenlandic leaders at the White House, declaring that American ownership of the Arctic island is non-negotiable and central to US and NATO security.
In a post on Truth Social hours before the meeting, Trump said the United States “needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security,” describing it as “vital for the Golden Dome” defence project under construction.
He argued that NATO “should be leading the way” to bring Greenland under US control, warning that if Washington failed to act, Russia or China would move in. “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable,” Trump wrote.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of the vast, sparsely populated island, escalating his rhetoric in recent weeks. Asked about Greenland’s leader saying the territory wished to remain autonomous within Denmark, Trump responded bluntly: “Well that’s their problem,” adding that it would be “a big problem for him.” Last week, Trump said he wanted Greenland “whether they like it or not” and warned that if it could not be done “the easy way,” the US would do it “the hard way.”
Denmark seeks to reassure US, backs stronger NATO role
The talks were requested by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Rasmussen said he hoped the meeting would “clear up certain misunderstandings,” though Trump has shown little indication of softening his position.
Ahead of the talks, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark was strengthening its military presence in Greenland and was in discussions with allies on an increased NATO role in the Arctic. He said Copenhagen would “continue to strengthen our military presence in Greenland” while pushing for more exercises and a larger NATO footprint, including new activities planned for 2026.
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View AllDenmark has rejected US claims that it is not doing enough to defend Greenland from Russia and China, citing investments of nearly 90 billion kroner to boost Arctic security. Copenhagen has also highlighted its long-standing NATO credentials, including military cooperation with the US in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Greenland and allies push back as diplomacy tightens
Greenland’s leadership has firmly opposed Trump’s demands. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island did not wish to be owned, governed by, or made part of the United States. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it had been difficult to withstand what she described as “completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally.”
The meeting follows an uninvited March visit by Vice President JD Vance to Greenland, where he stayed at the US Pituffik base without engaging local residents. Analysts have warned that Trump’s uncompromising stance could limit scope for dialogue. “If the US continues with, ‘We have to have Greenland at all cost,’ it could be a very short meeting,” said Penny Naas of the German Marshall Fund.
The dispute has drawn wider international attention, with a US congressional delegation set to visit Copenhagen in support of Denmark and France announcing plans to open a consulate in Greenland. As Trump frames Greenland as central to countering Russian and Chinese activity and to expanding US influence, whether talks can yield cooperation or deepen divisions within NATO remains uncertain.