US President Donald Trump on Tuesday revived his long-standing demand that Greenland should come under American control, declaring that the strategically located Arctic island “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark” during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. His remarks are expected to renew diplomatic tensions with Denmark and raise fresh questions about transatlantic relations within the alliance.
Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoganTrump argued that Greenland holds immense strategic value for the United States due to its location in the Arctic and its proximity to increasing Russian and Chinese military activity. He claimed Denmark had failed to invest sufficiently in Greenland’s security and suggested the territory was more important to Washington than to Copenhagen.
“That should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,” Trump said, adding that the dispute over Greenland had strained his relationship with NATO. He argued that the United States spends heavily on Europe’s defence while allies have been unwilling to support Washington on key security issues.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has repeatedly rejected suggestions that it could be sold or transferred to another country. Danish leaders have consistently maintained that Greenland’s future will be determined by its own people and have dismissed previous US proposals to acquire the island.
Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland during his previous presidency, a move that was firmly rejected by Denmark and Greenland. Since returning to office, he has repeatedly argued that US control of the island is essential for national security, citing the Arctic’s growing geopolitical importance, critical mineral resources and expanding maritime routes.
The latest comments came as NATO leaders gathered to discuss defence spending, military cooperation and security challenges posed by Russia and China. Trump’s renewed remarks on Greenland risk overshadowing the alliance’s efforts to present a united front on collective defence and regional security. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that discussions with Denmark and Greenland were continuing through diplomatic channels, indicating that dialogue on the issue remains ongoing despite public disagreements.
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