President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that U.S. control of Greenland is essential and “anything less” would be “unacceptable,” even as high-level talks with Danish and Greenlandic officials failed to bridge fundamental disagreements over the island’s sovereignty.
The statement came as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt at the White House. The meeting yielded no breakthrough, with Rasmussen describing the discussions as frank and constructive but acknowledging that perspectives remain divergent.
Trump has repeatedly stated he wants the United States to acquire Greenland, describing the Arctic territory as vital to national security. He has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve this goal, despite Greenland being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a founding NATO member.
The president argued Wednesday that controlling Greenland would strengthen NATO, claiming the alliance would become more formidable with the territory under U.S. control. He warned that if the United States does not secure Greenland, Russia or China could take over the strategically located island.
Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected Trump’s overtures. At a joint press conference earlier this week, Greenland’s premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated unequivocally that Greenland does not want to be owned, governed or become part of the United States, choosing instead to remain within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any U.S. military action against Greenland would effectively end NATO. The alliance, founded in 1949, has been a cornerstone of Western security for more than seven decades.
In response to Trump’s threats, Denmark has increased its military presence in Greenland. European allies including Sweden, Norway, Germany and France have sent troops to the territory for joint exercises. French President Emmanuel Macron stated Wednesday that French military units are already en route, with more to follow.
The Trump administration has offered various justifications for seeking control of Greenland. While Trump himself has focused on security concerns, citing alleged Chinese and Russian naval activity near the island, former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had previously highlighted Greenland’s vast mineral reserves as a key interest.
Greenland’s economy is relatively small, with a GDP estimated at around $3.5 billion to $4 billion and a population of approximately 56,000. The island is already home to Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. military installation that serves as a cornerstone of missile-warning and space-surveillance systems in the Arctic.
Under a 1951 defense agreement, the United States has broad authority to expand its military presence in Greenland without altering Danish sovereignty. Danish officials have suggested expanded defense cooperation and greater U.S. investment opportunities as alternatives to any sovereignty change.
Security experts have warned that the diplomatic crisis threatens NATO’s future. Ian Lesser, distinguished fellow at GMF, a Washington-based think tank, told reporters that failure to resolve the dispute “does not just threaten NATO cohesion, it threatens the future existence of the Alliance as we know it.”
Rasmussen told reporters after Wednesday’s meeting that ministers informed their U.S. counterparts it is difficult to think innovatively about solutions when waking up to different threats each morning. He confirmed that a working group would be established to discuss a broad range of issues but that Trump’s position remains unchanged.
Public polling shows limited support for Trump’s Greenland push. According to a 2025 survey, approximately 85 percent of Greenlanders reject becoming part of the United States, while a YouGov poll found only 7 percent of Americans support military invasion of the territory.
