Donald Trump doubled down on his push to acquire Greenland, telling Congress on Tuesday that the U.S. will take the island “one way or the other.” While he acknowledged Greenland’s right to self-determination, he made it clear the U.S. sees it as a strategic necessity.
“We support your right to choose your future,” Trump said, addressing Greenlanders. “And if you decide to join us, we’d welcome you. But we need Greenland for national and international security. We’re working with everyone involved, and one way or another, we’ll get it.”
That remark didn’t sit well with Danish leaders or Greenland’s pro-independence government. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Trump’s ambitions as “absurd,” while Greenlandic leader Múte Egede made it clear: “We don’t want to be Americans.”
Polls back him up—85% of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S. Danish MEP Anders Vistisen slammed Trump’s speech, calling it a “bullying tactic” rather than a show of respect for sovereignty.
Trump, who has previously floated the possibility of economic or military pressure, didn’t mention force this time but emphasized Greenland’s vast resources and military significance. The island, the world’s largest, has just 60,000 residents but hosts a key U.S. airbase in its frozen north.
“We’ll keep you safe. We’ll make you rich. Greenland will reach heights you never imagined,” Trump promised. But given the strong pushback from Denmark and Greenland, his vision for America’s newest territory looks like a long shot.
