Donald Trump has once again brought up his long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland, telling Congress that the U.S. will obtain the territory “one way or another.” In his first address to a joint session of Congress since taking office, Trump spoke directly to the people of Greenland, saying the U.S. “strongly supports your right to determine your own future” and would welcome them into the country. He argued that Greenland is critical for national and international security, making it clear that the U.S. is actively working to gain control of the territory.
Despite his claims of respecting Greenland’s autonomy, Trump’s statement took a more forceful turn. “I think we’re going to get it—one way or the other, we’re going to get it,” he said. This follows previous remarks from January, when he questioned Denmark’s claim to Greenland, suggesting that allowing the U.S. to take over would be an act of goodwill for the “protection of the free world.” Greenland, though geographically closer to North America, remains part of the Danish Kingdom, and Denmark has firmly rejected the idea of selling it.
Trump also made a direct appeal to Greenland’s citizens, promising that under U.S. control, they would be “safe” and “rich.” He described Greenland as “a very small population but a very, very large piece of land” and emphasized its importance for military security. His administration has not detailed how it plans to pursue this goal, but his remarks suggest that the idea remains a serious part of his foreign policy vision.
Denmark has yet to officially respond to Trump’s latest comments, but previous statements from Danish leaders have dismissed the idea outright. Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland, whether through diplomacy or other means, is likely to further strain relations between the U.S. and Denmark. As the world watches, the question remains: is this just Trump’s political showmanship, or does his administration have a concrete plan for Greenland’s future?
