US President Donald Trump’s administration has confirmed that it is weighing a variety of options to acquire Greenland, including the possible use of the US military, a move that has reignited diplomatic tensions with Denmark and other NATO allies.
In a statement released Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump considers Greenland, a vast semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, a “national security priority” for the United States — particularly in the context of geopolitical competition with Russia and China in the Arctic.
Leavitt said the president and his team are “discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal,” and that “of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief’s disposal.”
Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland follows a recent US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro — an action that has been widely criticized internationally and now appears to be tied to broader ambitions in the Arctic.
Danish and European Reaction
Denmark — Greenland’s sovereign state under the Danish kingdom — has sharply rejected the comments. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any attempt by the United States to attack or forcibly seize Greenland would spell the end of NATO, the transatlantic alliance formed after the Second World War.
Leaders from several European nations — including France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland and Spain — issued a joint statement reaffirming that “Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.” They stressed that Arctic security must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, not through unilateral action.
Greenland’s own government has also objected, calling for respectful dialogue and reiterating that the territory is not for sale.
US Domestic and International Concerns
Inside the United States, the suggestion that military force could be used to take control of a NATO ally’s territory has drawn criticism from lawmakers of both parties, many of whom argue that such rhetoric undermines longstanding alliances and could destabilize regional security.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reported to have told lawmakers that the administration would prefer to pursue a peaceful purchase or negotiated agreement with Denmark, but the inclusion of military options signals an escalation in rhetoric.
Experts and policymakers warn that any attempt to forcibly annex Greenland could have serious ramifications for international law, transatlantic relations and the role of NATO in Arctic defense.
