Greenland’s government on Monday firmly rejected any possibility of a U.S. takeover of the Arctic island, following repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States would acquire the territory “one way or the other.”
In a statement, Greenland’s governing coalition said, “The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstance.”
Trump has argued that Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is of critical strategic importance to U.S. national security. On Sunday, he warned that if the United States did not act, “Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen.” He also suggested that while he might be open to a deal with Greenland, “one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.”
The president’s remarks have sparked alarm in Copenhagen and among European allies. Last week, six NATO members—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom—issued a joint statement backing Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing the island’s sovereignty and rejecting unilateral U.S. ambitions.
“On the basis of the very positive declaration from the six NATO member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will intensify efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland is carried out within NATO,” Monday’s statement said. “Greenland will always be part of the Western defence alliance.”
Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953 and gained home rule in 1979, has been home to a U.S. military base since World War II. While the island has gradually increased its autonomy, it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Polls indicate that Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose any U.S. takeover, and Copenhagen has expressed shock at Trump’s repeated threats over the strategically located Arctic territory.
Experts note that Greenland’s location offers control over the Arctic region, making it a key military and geopolitical asset as global powers eye the North for natural resources and strategic positioning. The U.S. has long maintained an interest in Greenland, but the island’s government and European allies have made clear that sovereignty will not be compromised.
