U.S. President Donald Trump made a bold statement Tuesday, asserting that the United States would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” intensifying months of increasingly aggressive rhetoric towards the self-governing Danish territory.
During a joint session of Congress in Washington, Trump addressed Greenland’s citizens, stating, “I have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland.” He expressed strong support for their right to determine their own future, adding, “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
Trump further assured Greenlanders, “We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
However, his tone soon shifted as he argued that U.S. control of the Arctic territory was vital for national and international security. “We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it,” he emphasized.
“But we need it really for international, for world security, and I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump declared, underscoring the strategic importance of the island. “It’s a very small population, but a very, very large piece of land. And very, very important for military security,” he concluded before moving on to another topic.
Trump’s comments were met with surprise, given the slightly menacing tone directed at Greenlanders, yet this rhetoric is hardly without precedent. For years, Trump has focused on the strategic value of the ice-covered island, frequently suggesting that the United States should purchase Greenland.
In January, his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., made a high-profile visit to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, where he filmed a video for a podcast. While the trip was billed as personal, President Trump’s social media posts regarding the visit carried significant political overtones. He wrote, “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland… The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Denmark, however, has consistently rejected Trump’s attempts to acquire the island, which began in 2019. The president’s interest in Greenland is not only personal but also integral to his broader national security strategy, which focuses on countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic Circle.
