Trump puts Greenland’s rare earths back on the table for NATO

United States President Donald Trump reignited his campaign to acquire Greenland on Wednesday, accusing NATO allies of failing Washington on both the Arctic territory and Iran while insisting the US should never have relinquished control of the strategically important island.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the alliance summit in The Hague, Trump said he was unhappy with NATO members over Greenland and their reluctance to support US efforts against Iran, which he called the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.

He argued Greenland was vital to global security, recalled the US military’s role on the island during the Second World War and said Washington had erred by returning control to Denmark. 

“We took Greenland and then, stupidly, we gave it back,” Trump said. “We shouldn’t have given it back to them, because we’re the ones that need it. We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States.”

Trump’s latest remarks highlight that Greenland remains a central foreign policy objective despite months of diplomatic efforts by Denmark to ease tensions. The Arctic island has become increasingly important as military competition intensifies in the region and governments seek access to its vast untapped mineral resources.

The comments came hours after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed that Greenland is not for sale and pledged to defend “every inch” of NATO territory.

“Our position is clear as it has been all through. Greenland is, of course, not for sale,” Frederiksen said. “We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenlandic people’s right for self-determination and we are a sovereign state, and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.”

Military intervention

Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out using military force to annex Greenland. In late January, however, he announced that he and Rutte had agreed to a framework for future discussions on the territory, and representatives from the US, Denmark and Greenland have since been meeting to discuss defence and economic co-operation.

Although the US has never exercised sovereignty over Greenland, it retains military rights under a long-standing defence agreement with Denmark and operates strategic facilities on the island. Trump first proposed buying Greenland during his previous presidency, and his renewed campaign has revived concerns in Copenhagen and across Europe that Washington could increase pressure on one of the Arctic’s most strategically significant territories.

Frederiksen, speaking to reporters in The Hague after Trump’s latest comments, said Denmark’s position remained unchanged.

“I heard the US president yesterday and I think the US position is unfortunately very clear on this topic and our position is very clear as it has been all through,” she said. “Greenland is of course not for sale.”