The White House announced on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is exploring strategies to secure Greenland, potentially involving the U.S. military, as part of his renewed interest in gaining control of the strategic island despite opposition from European nations.
Stressing the importance of acquiring Greenland for U.S. national security interests, the White House stated that discussions are ongoing to pursue this foreign policy goal, with the option of utilizing the military under the president’s authority.
Despite Greenland’s repeated rejection of U.S. ownership, former Greenland lawmaker Tillie Martinussen expressed widespread discontent among the island’s residents regarding the persistent discourse from Trump and his administration about taking over Greenland.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has conveyed his disapproval of the pressure from Washington while emphasizing the necessity of maintaining good relations with the U.S., despite the opposition from major European countries and Canada who stand in solidarity with Greenland’s sovereignty.
Trump’s interest in Greenland has been reignited following recent geopolitical events, with discussions within the administration exploring various acquisition methods, including a potential direct purchase or forming a Compact of Free Association (COFA) similar to existing agreements with other nations.
While diplomatic negotiations remain a priority, a senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, revealed ongoing discussions on different approaches to securing Greenland. The official highlighted Trump’s preference for deal-making and diplomacy as the primary avenues, with a focus on finding a mutually beneficial agreement.
U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, clarified that recent statements regarding Greenland were not indicative of imminent military action but rather aimed at exploring a possible purchase from Denmark through diplomatic channels, as emphasized during a congressional briefing.
Despite internal discussions and pushback from members of Congress, including bipartisan concerns about respecting Denmark’s sovereignty and treaty obligations, the Trump administration remains steadfast in its pursuit of Greenland, citing its strategic importance due to untapped mineral resources crucial for high-tech and military applications.