Trump reiterates US need to 'have' Greenland ahead of Vance visit

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump intensified his claims to Greenland, stating that the United States needed control of the Danish territory for "international security" ahead of Vice President JD Vance's visit. Since assuming office in January, Trump has consistently argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. interests, even suggesting that force may be necessary to bring it under American control.

"We need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it," Trump told podcaster Vince Coglianese. "I hate to put it that way, but we're going to have to have it."

Greenland, which has been seeking greater autonomy from Denmark, is rich in untapped natural resources, including minerals and oil, although exploration for these resources, such as oil and uranium, is currently prohibited. The island’s geographical position between North America and Europe also makes it strategically important, particularly as the U.S., China, and Russia increase their presence in the Arctic, where climate change has made new sea lanes accessible.

When asked if he believed Greenlanders would be eager to join the United States, Trump admitted uncertainty, saying, "We have to convince them." He emphasized the importance of acquiring the land, stating that it is "not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth, not just the United States, without it."

These remarks from Trump prompted a response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who took to Facebook to reiterate Greenland’s stance. "We mustn't have illusions — President Trump's interest in Greenland is not going away," she wrote, adding, "They know that Greenland is not for sale. They know that Greenland doesn't want to be part of the United States." She emphasized that this message had been communicated clearly.

Trump’s latest comments come as Vice President Vance is scheduled to visit the U.S.-run Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Friday. The visit follows earlier controversy over a planned broader U.S. delegation visit to the Arctic island. Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede had sharply criticized the initial plans, describing them as "foreign interference," and noting that the outgoing government had not extended any invitations for such visits.

In response, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen welcomed the decision to limit the visit to the U.S. base. "I think it's very positive that the Americans have canceled their visit among Greenlandic society. They will only visit their own base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that," Rasmussen said in an interview with public broadcaster DR.

The Pituffik Space Base, previously known as Thule Air Base, is the U.S.'s northernmost military installation and plays a key role in missile defense and space surveillance.

Initially, the Vances’ visit was supposed to include a stop at a dogsled race in Sisimiut, but this part of the visit was canceled after reports of an anti-U.S. protest planned for the event. The White House confirmed that the visit would be limited to the space base instead.

Greenlandic officials have repeatedly expressed that the territory does not wish to be a part of either Denmark or the U.S., but remains "open for business" with all countries. "There is no doubt we find ourselves in a tough situation," Prime Minister Frederiksen said regarding Trump’s continued focus on Greenland, predicting that "a situation that will ebb and flow, maybe for a long time yet."

Recent opinion polls suggest that while most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, they do not want the island to be annexed by the United States. Following the March 11 elections, Greenland is currently governed by a transitional government, with political parties still in talks to form a new coalition.

Marc Jacobsen, a senior lecturer at the Royal Danish Defense College, viewed the decision to limit the U.S. visit as "a de-escalation," echoing Foreign Minister Rasmussen’s sentiments. "You do not come to another country when you haven’t been welcomed," Jacobsen commented. He also noted that the planned anti-U.S. demonstration in Sisimiut, following a similar protest in the capital Nuuk on March 15, may have influenced the decision to restrict the visit.

This article was reported by journalist Angelia.