Why does Trump need Greenland, and what may it imply for Nato?
The White Home says Donald Trump and his shut advisers are discussing choices for taking on Greenland, because the US president continues to argue it will profit his nation’s safety.
His calls for have been rejected by the island’s leaders and by Nato member Denmark, of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory.
The place is Greenland and why does it matter to Trump?
Greenland – the world’s largest island which isn’t a continent – is positioned within the Arctic.
Additionally it is essentially the most sparsely populated territory. About 56,000 individuals reside there, largely indigenous Inuit individuals.
About 80% of its territory is roofed by ice, that means most individuals reside on the south-western coast across the capital, Nuuk.
Greenland’s economic system is especially based mostly on fishing, and it receives massive subsidies from the Danish authorities.
However lately, there was elevated curiosity in Greenland’s pure assets, together with mining for uncommon earth minerals, uranium and iron. These might develop into extra accessible as international warming results in the melting of the large ice sheet that covers the island.
Beneficial mineral assets have been a key focus of Trump elsewhere on the planet, together with in his dealings with Ukraine.
Nonetheless, the US president has mentioned: “We want Greenland for nationwide safety, not minerals.”
He has additionally mentioned that “Greenland is roofed with Russian and Chinese language ships everywhere”.
Many Republican lawmakers share the view that US safety is in danger from the 2 international locations which are typically deemed US adversaries.
What has Trump mentioned concerning the US controlling Greenland?
Trump repeated earlier requires the US to take over Greenland following the US navy raid on Venezuela, throughout which its president Nicolás Maduro and his spouse have been seized and eliminated to New York.
The island’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying “that is sufficient now”, describing the thought of US management as a “fantasy”.
However Trump and his allies went on to reiterate their threats. The president mentioned he was “very severe” about his plans, including that Greenland was necessary for European in addition to American safety.
One in all his high aides, Stephen Miller, mentioned “no person’s going to struggle the US over the way forward for Greenland”.
The US has not dominated out utilizing the armed forces to take management of the territory. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed a congressional listening to in June that the Pentagon had “contingency plans”.
Just a few days after the Venezuela operation, the White Home mentioned Trump and his group have been discussing choices to accumulate Greenland, together with “using the US navy”.
In 2019, throughout his first presidential time period, Trump provided to purchase the island however was instructed it was not on the market.
He revived his curiosity after returning to the White Home in January 2025, and has not dominated out the usage of pressure.
There have additionally been controversial excessive degree visits to Greenland. Vice-President JD Vance travelled there in March and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to take a position sufficient to guard the territory.
A recent row about US intentions was sparked in late 2025 when Trump appointed a particular envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who has overtly spoken about making the island part of the US.
What have Denmark and different Nato allies mentioned?
Trump’s stance has shocked Denmark, which has historically loved shut relations with Washington, in response to BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any effort to take over Greenland would spell the top of Nato.
His UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer, one other Nato chief, was requested whether or not he would say “arms off Greenland” to Trump. He answered: “Sure.”
Starmer signed an announcement alongside the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark, which mentioned: “Greenland belongs to its individuals, and solely Denmark and Greenland can determine on issues regarding their relations.”
Why does Denmark management Greenland?
Although part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been managed by Denmark – almost 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.
However the US safety curiosity in Greenland additionally dates again a good distance, and two American administrations earlier than Trump made failed efforts to accumulate it.
The island was ruled as a colony till the mid-Twentieth Century. For a lot of this time, it remained remoted and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark throughout World Warfare Two, the US invaded the island, establishing navy and radio stations.
After the battle, American forces remained in Greenland. Pituffik House Base, previously often known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US ever since.
In 1951, a defence settlement with Denmark granted the US a major position within the defence of the territory, together with the best to construct and preserve navy bases.
In 1953, the island was made a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders grew to become Danish residents.
In 1979, a referendum on house rule gave Greenland management of most insurance policies inside the territory, with Denmark retaining management over international affairs and defence.
Greenland is house to Danish navy bases in addition to American ones.
ReutersWhat do the individuals of Greenland assume?
In response to Trump’s threats early in 2026, Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen mentioned: “No extra stress. No extra insinuations. No extra fantasies of annexation.
“We’re open to dialogue. We’re open to discussions. However this should occur by means of the right channels and with respect for worldwide regulation.”
When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase time and again: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can go to however that is it.”
The difficulty took centre stage through the territory’s normal election that 12 months.
Polling suggests that the majority Greenlanders again independence from Denmark, however that an awesome majority of them additionally reject the thought of turning into a part of the US.
When Trump first raised the thought of shopping for Greenland in 2019, many locals mentioned they have been against the proposal.
“This can be a very harmful thought,” mentioned Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator.
“He is treating us like a superb he can buy,” mentioned Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first feminine prime minister.