The idea of the United States buying Greenland has been a topic of discussion for months, but recent developments suggest that President Trump’s administration is more serious about the proposition than initially thought.
A “fiery” phone call between President Donald Trump and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has fueled the debate over Greenland’s future, with the US leader’s intentions remaining unclear.
Trump’s relentless stance on taking over Greenland, despite officials’ repeated claims that it is not for sale, has left many in Denmark and Greenland Renting.
At the heart of Trump’s interest in Greenland lies its strategic importance to national security. The island is rich in minerals crucial for technology and defense, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones, electric vehicles and weapons. As China dominates the global rare earth market, Greenland’s reserves have become increasingly vital to the US.
Trump has wanted to take over the island nation of 56,000 people since his first term.
Greenland’s location, which straddles the shortest route between Europe and North America, makes it a critical spot for the US military and its ballistic missile early warning system. As China and Russia expand their influence in the Arctic, the US seeks to maintain its dominance in the region.
Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, told FOX that Trump has made clear “the safety and security of Greenland is important to the United States as China and Russia are making significant investments in the Arctic region. Only the protection of the U.S. interests in the Arctic, but also working with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both countries”.
“He was very firm,” a source told The Financial Times, describing Trump’s tone on the call. “It was a cold shower. It used to be hard to take it seriously. But I think it is serious and potentially very dangerous.”
The call was “fiery” with one official calling it “horrific”, according to the Financial Times.
The call “completely mad” the Danes, a Danish official said. “The intent was very clear,” another official told the outlet. “They want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode.”
Trump’s aggressive pursuit of Greenland is countering resistance from Denmark and Greenland. Frederiksen has stressed that Greenland is not for sale, and the Prime Minister, Mute EDege, has reiterated that the island’s people do not want to be part of the US.
However, the US repeatedly says that Greenland is important for national security. Despite Frederiksen’s offer to increase Greenland-US cooperation on military bases and resources, Trump was aggressive and confrontational. Moreover, he has not ruled out the possible use of military force in Greenland.
“For the purposes of national security and liberty throughout the world, the United States of America believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last month.
Residents of Greenland have also expressed distrust of Trump and his intentions. “I don’t trust the man,” Bilo Chemnitz, a resident of Nuuk, told the Washington Post. “I want Greenland to stay as it is.”
“I don’t like the way he talks about Greenland,” resident Ida Abelsen similarly told the Post.
Diplomatic relations between the US and Denmark have been tested, as Trump’s pursuit of Greenland continues to attract attention and criticism.