Why Trump Wants Greenland

US President Donald Trump has said he is seeking "immediate negotiations" to acquire Greenland for national security reasons - and insisted he "won't use force". His repeated demands to take control of the territory have been rejected by Greenland's leaders, and by Nato member Denmark, of which the island is a semi-autonomous territory. This has led to a wider diplomatic row, with Trump initially threatening additional trade tariffs against a number of European allies for opposing his plans. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said he had dropped the proposed tariffs after forming "the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland" following talks with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. Where is Greenland and why is it important to Trump? Greenland - the world's largest island - is located in the Arctic. At about 2.2 million sq km (836,330 square miles), it is roughly 6x times the size of Germany. It is also the most sparsely populated global territory, with a population of about 56,000 people, mostly indigenous Inuit people. Its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region. At the height of the Cold War, the US had plans to station nuclear missiles on the island but abandoned the project over engineering problems and objections by Denmark. The US has operated Pituffik Space Base - formerly known as Thule Air Base - since World War Two. The base currently monitors for missiles. Map showing the location of Greenland and the capital Nuuk, relatively to Denmark, Canada and the United States. Also labelled is the US capital Washington. About 80% of Greenland is covered by ice, meaning most people live on the south-western coast around the capital, Nuuk. Its economy is mainly based on fishing, and it receives large subsidies from the Danish government. In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. It could also have significant oil and gas reserves. Trump has focused on such resources elsewhere - including in his dealings with Ukraine - but denies they are behind his desire for Greenland. However he has repeatedly described the threat he perceives from Russia and China in the region. In one Truth Social post, he wrote: "Nato has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that 'you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.' Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!" In a text message to Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump also said that he no longer felt obliged to focus on peace after not being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. How could Donald Trump 'take' Greenland? 'We are not for sale': Greenlanders express fear and indignation as Trump eyes territory Could US Congress stop Trump from taking over Greenland? What has Trump said about his Greenland plans? Speaking in Davos on Wednesday, Trump said only the US could protect, develop and improve Greenland. He also argued that the US could claim the island because of its efforts to defend the territory during World War Two after Denmark was invaded by Germany. "We already had it, but we returned it to Denmark" he said, adding that the US "should have kept it". But he insisted the US would not use force. "We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won't do that," Trump told an audience of world leaders. "I don't have to use force, I don't want to use force, I won't use force," he added. He also denied that a US takeover would be damaging to Nato, insisting that the US is "treated very unfairly" by the military alliance and gets very little despite "[giving] so much". However, after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, Nato provided large scale support to the US under Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all. This was the first use of Nato military assets under Article 5. Read Trump's full messages with European leaders – and what they tell us What tariffs has Trump announced and why? Greenland 'will stay Greenland', former Trump adviser declares On 17 January, Trump threatened new 10% trade tariffs "on any and all goods" sent to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland if those countries do not support his plans. These would take effect on 1 February, increasing to 25% from 1 June if no deal has been agreed. He withdrew the tariff threat following what Trump called "a very productive meeting" with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos. While the terms of an agreement relating to US interests in Greenland has not been formalised, he said the pair agreed on "the framework for a future deal". Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, but was told it was not for sale. He revived his interest shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025. Vice-President JD Vance visited Greenland in March that year, and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to invest enough to protect the territory. In late 2025, Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who spoke openly about making the island a part of the US. Trump ramped up calls to take over Greenland after a US military raid on Venezuela in early January 2026, during which the country's president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized and taken to New York to face criminal charges. What have Denmark and other Nato allies said about Greenland's future? The territory does not have its own independent military and is not a member of Nato, but is part of the alliance through Denmark. Responding to the threat of further tariffs, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted that "Europe won't be blackmailed". She and other European leaders issued a joint statement warning that Trump's words would "undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral". Her UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer said the move was "completely wrong", while French President Emmanuel Macron said the "endless accumulation of new tariffs" from the US was "fundamentally unacceptable". EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Europe's response would be "unflinching, united and proportional". European nations have repeatedly said that only Denmark and Greenland can decide the territory's future. On 14 January, Vance and Rubio met the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers at the White House. At the time, Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the talks as "frank but constructive," but warned there was a "fundamental disagreement" between the two countries. Several European countries including France, Sweden and Germany have since sent military personnel to the territory for exercises and security purposes. Denmark has also proposed that Nato should start surveillance operations in Greenland. Confronted over Greenland, Europe is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump The painful questions for Nato and the EU as Trump threatens Greenland 'Europe is at a total loss': Russia gloats over Greenland tensions European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island Why does Denmark control Greenland? Though a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years. The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th Century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and poor. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War Two, the US invaded the island, establishing military and radio stations. Reuters A general view of snow-covered houses in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capitalReuters A new settlement was established near the present-day capital, Nuuk, after Danish colonisation in the 18th Century After the war, American forces remained in Greenland. In 1951, a defence agreement with Denmark granted the US a significant role in the defence of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases. In 1953, the island was made part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens. In 1979, a referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defence. Greenland has a Danish military presence as well as an American one. What do the people of Greenland think about Trump and his threats? 0:53 Watch: Residents react to Trump's interest in Greenland Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen has repeatedly rejected Trump's arguments, dismissing the idea of US control as a "fantasy". Polling suggests that most Greenlanders back independence from Denmark, but that an overwhelming majority of them also reject the idea of becoming part of the US. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in both Greenland and Denmark to protest against Trump's plans. You can also get in touch by following this link Nato Denmark Donald Trump Greenland United States JD Vance Related Belgium says a Canadian intern is suspected of spying at Nato. Here's what we know British woman held in Turkey before Nato protests Nato chief tells BBC that Trump comments are like 'family argument' More from the BBC 26 mins ago David Crowley poses for a selfie alongside a supporter while campaigning to be the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor Wisconsin result halts winning streak for Democratic Party's left wing Centrist David Crowley is projected to have beaten democratic socialist Francesca Hong, breaking a recent nationwide trend. 5 hrs ago Mike is wearing a grey wooly hat and a black waterproof jacket. Over his left shoulder is the village of Ittoqqortoormiit. 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