Not going to give up options: Trump says US needs Greenland for national security

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated that the United States needs Greenland for national security, reviving a long-standing position after a White House meeting involving senior US, Danish and Greenlandic officials.

“We need Greenland for national security,” Trump told reporters, stressing that the issue was under active review at the highest levels of the US government. Trump said he was awaiting a briefing following a meeting at the White House between Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and Greenland’s top diplomat Vivian Motzfeldt.

While emphasising strong ties with Denmark, Trump argued that Greenland’s geographic position makes it strategically critical for the United States and its allies. “We have a very good relationship with Denmark,” he said. “We'll see what happens.”

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Linking Greenland to broader US defence planning, Trump referenced what he described as the “Golden Dome” project, saying the Arctic island was vital not only for American security but also for Europe. “We're doing the Golden Dome. We're doing a lot of things, and we really need it,” he said. Trump warned that rival powers could step in if Washington did not act. “If we don't go in, Russia is going to go in, and China is going to go in,” he said. “And there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”

Also Read: Denmark warns troops will ‘shoot first’ if Greenland is invaded amid Trump threats

Acquisition questions and NATO ties

When pressed on whether the United States might seek to acquire Greenland by force, Trump declined to offer clarity. “Well, you're saying that,” he told reporters. “You don't know what I'm going to do.”

Asked to outline possible options, he said, “I wouldn't be telling you what I'm willing to do. Certainly, I'm not going to give up options.” Trump also dismissed suggestions that US actions could weaken the NATO alliance. Asked whether he would consider leaving NATO to pursue his objectives, he rejected the premise. “I have a very good relationship with Denmark,” he said. “We'll see how it all works out.”

Trump questioned Denmark’s ability to defend Greenland against major powers. “I can't rely on Denmark being able to fend themselves off,” he said. He mocked recent Danish measures to bolster security. “They were talking about they put an extra dog sled there last month,” Trump said. “They added a second dog sled. That's not going to do the trick.”

Long-standing us interest in Greenland

Trump said American interest in Greenland was not new, noting that the issue had been discussed for decades. “This was talked about by President Truman,” he said. “Forty years before President Truman, they were talking about it. They've been talking about this for a hundred years.” He also cited conversations with NATO leadership. “I spoke with, as you know, Mark, the head of NATO, and he really wants to see something happen,” Trump said.

Also Read: Why the US wants Greenland and why Europe is worried?

Greenland and Denmark push back

The remarks came as Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen publicly rejected Trump’s repeated takeover threats, saying the Arctic island stands with Denmark. “If we have to choose between the USA and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU,” Nielsen said, according to translated comments reported by a foreign public broadcaster.

Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Nielsen added, “The time has come to stand together.”

Frederiksen said Denmark had faced growing pressure from allies. “It has not been easy to stand up to completely unacceptable pressure from our closest allies for a lifetime. But there is much to suggest that the hardest part is still ahead of us,” she said. Trump did not announce any immediate policy steps on Greenland. He said discussions were ongoing and reiterated the security rationale behind US interest. “Greenland is very important for national security,” Trump said. “And that includes for Europe.”