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President Donald Trump reignited tensions with Denmark this week by refusing to rule out military force in pursuit of U.S. control over Greenland, prompting sharp rebukes from Copenhagen and renewed debate among NATO allies.
The White House said that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option” as the administration presses its case that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security.
It’s unclear whether the threat of military action is a negotiating tactic or a serious plan. Taking the autonomous territory by force likely would upend the NATO alliance, of which both the U.S. and Denmark are members.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet this week with Danish and Greenlandic officials to discuss U.S. intentions — both which remain opposed to U.S. acquisition.
“If the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country, then everything would stop — that includes Nato and therefore post-second world war security,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish network TV2.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, directed Trump to give up “fantasies about annexation” and “completely and utterly unacceptable” rhetoric, adding “enough is enough.”
“If the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country, then everything would stop – that includes Nato and therefore post-second world war security,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish network TV2. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Speaking to American soldiers from the U.S.’s Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland in March 2024, Vice President JD Vance had appealed to what he argued was a failure by Copenhagen to protect Greenland from Russian and Chinese aggression.
“Denmark hasn’t done a good job at keeping Greenland safe,” he said.
“What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark,” Vance explained. “And then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there.”
At that time, Vance steered away from military aggression.
Trump has said Greenland is essential for US national security. (Reuters/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo)
“We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary,” Vance continued. “And because we think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump-style, to ensure the security of this territory, but also the United States of America.”
Vance said that Russia and China have been largely running unchecked in the area and “encroaching” on Greenland without proper protection from Denmark.
Though Greenland is an autonomous nation, it is still a territory of Denmark, which means Copenhagen oversees its security needs.
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Greenland does not currently have its own military and would no longer be protected by NATO if it left Denmark, as it would need to formally apply for NATO membership as an independent nation.
“There has been an expansion of the security footprint in the security interests of Russia and China. They’re doing what they believe is in their interest,” Vance said. “The United States must do what I know is in our interest — which is to make sure that Greenland is safe.”
“If Greenland doesn’t have self-determination, if the people of Greenland have their future controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, it’s not going to make their lives better off, and most importantly, it’s going to make American and world … security much, much weaker,” he added.
hat we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark,” Vance said in March. (Jim Watson/Pool via Reuters)
Vance said that Russia and China have been largely running unchecked in the area and “encroaching” on Greenland without proper protection from Denmark. (Jim Watson – Pool / Getty Images)
Vance said he wants Greenland to have American weapons, not Chinese weapons, and that he believes a partnership could be secured once the arctic nation votes for independence from Denmark.
While some in Greenland have said they would be interested in securing a partnership with Washington that could include access to fishing lanes in exchange for defense guarantees, Trump has signaled that he may be more interested in the nation’s rare earth minerals and energy opportunities.
However, Greenland, which is environmentally conscious, has previously blocked the EU from making deals to access those coveted resources.
“When the President says we’ve got to have Greenland, he’s saying this island is not safe,” Vance said. “A lot of people are interested in it. A lot of people are making a play.
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“Our message is very simple: Yes, the people of Greenland are going to have self-determination,” he continued. “We hope that they choose to partner with the United States.
“We’re the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security, because their security is very much our security,” Vance said.