Trump Urges U.S. to Acquire Greenland to Counter Russian and Chinese Influence
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump intensified calls for the United States to acquire Greenland, emphasizing the island’s strategic importance and warning that Russia and China could seize control if the U.S. does not act. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on January 11, 2026, Trump described Greenland’s current defense capabilities as “two dog sleds,” underscoring his belief that the Arctic territory is vulnerable to foreign encroachment.
“Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” Trump said, asserting that the island’s defenses are minimal at best. He pointed to the presence of Russian and Chinese naval forces in the region, including destroyers and submarines, as a growing threat to U.S. and NATO security interests. “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will, and that’s not going to happen when I’m president,” he added.
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long been recognized for its strategic location in the Arctic. Its vast ice-covered expanse holds critical military and economic significance, especially as melting ice opens new navigation routes and access to natural resources. The U.S. military already maintains a presence there, including the Thule Air Base, which plays a key role in missile warning and space surveillance.
Despite the president’s renewed push, Greenland’s leadership has firmly rejected the idea of U.S. acquisition. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and other party leaders reiterated their island’s desire to maintain autonomy and expressed no interest in becoming part of the United States or Denmark. This stance reflects concerns over sovereignty and the potential impact on Greenland’s self-governance.
The Danish government has also expressed displeasure with the U.S. approach. Denmark summoned the U.S. envoy to protest what it described as covert interference operations related to Greenland, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the issue. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of respecting Greenland’s autonomy and the longstanding alliance between Denmark and the United States.
Several officials within the Trump administration have echoed the president’s position, framing Greenland’s acquisition as a national security imperative. They argue that control over the island would enhance the U.S. and NATO’s ability to monitor and counter Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic, a region increasingly viewed as a geopolitical flashpoint.
The Arctic’s significance has grown in recent years, with the U.S. Navy and allied forces conducting more frequent operations to assert freedom of navigation and deter aggression. The Department of Defense has highlighted the need to bolster Arctic capabilities amid climate change and shifting power dynamics.
However, experts caution that any attempt to acquire Greenland could strain U.S. relations with Denmark and Greenland’s indigenous population. The island’s residents have expressed concerns about environmental impacts and the preservation of their cultural heritage.
As the debate continues, the U.S. government faces the challenge of balancing strategic interests with diplomatic and ethical considerations. The U.S. Department of State has indicated that any discussions about Greenland’s future would involve consultations with both Denmark and Greenland’s local government.
Trump’s remarks come amid broader geopolitical competition in the Arctic, where Russia has expanded its military infrastructure and China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state,” seeking a foothold in the region’s emerging economic opportunities. The president’s insistence on acquisition rather than leasing signals a more assertive U.S. posture aimed at preempting rival powers.
While the prospect of Greenland becoming part of the United States remains highly contentious, the conversation underscores the increasing importance of the Arctic in global security calculations. As climate change reshapes the region, nations are recalibrating their strategies to secure influence over this once remote and inaccessible frontier.
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