It appears US President Donald Trump is once again turning his attention to Greenland. Denmark has reportedly gone into “full crisis mode” after Trump renewed his interest in the Arctic territory, days after a dramatic US military strike in Venezuela.
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you,” Trump said Sunday aboard Air Force One, echoing similar remarks he made separately to The Atlantic.
The comments came just a day after the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a surprise intervention that sent shockwaves around the world.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded sharply.
“I have to say this very directly to the United States: It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” Frederiksen said Sunday in a Facebook post.
READ: Venezuela crisis drives investors toward gold as dollar holds firm (
“The Kingdom of Denmark – and thus Greenland – is part of NATO and is therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee. We already have a defense agreement between the Kingdom and the United States today, which gives the United States wide access to Greenland,” she said.
“I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have said very clearly that they are not for sale,” Frederiksen added.
Trump’s remarks have reportedly raised alarm in Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The comments revive Trump’s earlier suggestions about purchasing or exerting control over Greenland, proposals that previously drew widespread criticism. The island’s strategic position between North America and Europe, its proximity to the Arctic, and its natural resource potential have long underpinned US interest.
Frederiksen reiterated that the United States has no claim over Greenland and urged Trump to stop threatening the territory. Greenlandic leaders have also rejected US assertions, stressing that the island is not for sale and emphasizing the importance of respecting its autonomy.
READ: Trump says US will ‘run’ Venezuela, tap oil after Maduro’s capture (
Experts note that Greenland’s value lies in its strategic Arctic location for military operations, early-warning systems, shipping routes, and access to natural resources. However, any US attempt to exert control would face significant legal, diplomatic, and political obstacles, and the idea remains widely viewed as unrealistic.
The renewed tension highlights the delicate balance between strategic interests and respect for national sovereignty in the Arctic. As global powers compete for influence in the region, military, economic, and geopolitical considerations continue to intersect.
For Greenland and Denmark, the focus is likely to remain on safeguarding autonomy and reinforcing alliances that protect their interests. The Arctic is expected to remain a key arena for geopolitical competition, with far-reaching implications for security, trade, and resource management. Ultimately, the episode underscores the broader tension between national ambitions and multilateral norms in regions governed by established international agreements.