Trump and Greenland

Ava Cai

January 10, 2026

“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” President Trump told oil executives during a meeting that discussed prospective actions to take on Venezuela. Just a week earlier, Trump had ordered troops to capture the South American country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, and temporarily militarily take over the nation. 

President Trump has long stressed the importance of taking over this Arctic island. He claims that if the U.S. does not make a move on Greenland, then China or Russia will move in too close to territories controlled by the U.S. European countries in NATO, such as Denmark, have been fighting back, repeatedly reinforcing that Greenland is not on the market and up for purchase. Jacob Isbosethsen, Greenland’s head of representation to the United States, has also stressed that Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people and will not be handed over to Trump. 

However, President Trump is disregarding our allies’ remarks; to take it a step further, he is planning whether to take over Greenland using military force or bargaining with Denmark. In regard to Denmark’s claim over Greenland, Trump said, “The fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn't mean that they own the land. [I'm] sure we had lots of boats go there also.” There already exists a heavy U.S. military presence in Greenland, which can easily be expanded upon request, according to the U.S. President. When he was asked how much money he would be setting down for Greenland, Trump responded, “I'm not talking about money for Greenland, yet.” 

Both Democratic and Republican politicians in Washington, D.C., are also disapproving of Trump’s urge to purchase this independent nation. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said after an executive meeting, “There is no reason for a negotiation around who controls Greenland because Greenland and the United States, and Denmark have been allies. We share the same values, and  we have worked cooperatively together.”

The Dhanish people have made it clear that they do not want to negotiate a purchase for their homeland, no matter what the cost. However, Trump is adamant as ever, saying, “I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way.” 

Denmark and Greenland have requested a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio next week regarding the progression of this issue.