President Donald Trump has again raised the prospect of the United States annexing Greenland, renewing a long-running dispute with Denmark and prompting firm responses from Greenlandic and European leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States needed Greenland for national security reasons, citing its strategic position and mineral resources, and dismissing criticism from allies.
The comments followed a public appeal by Denmark’s prime minister for Washington to stop what she described as threats toward the semi-autonomous territory.
Greenland, which has extensive self-rule but remains part of the Danish kingdom, has repeatedly rejected any suggestion of becoming part of the United States.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, responded by calling the idea of annexation unacceptable and unrealistic.
He said, "No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation."
Nielsen added that Greenland was open to dialogue but only through proper diplomatic channels and in line with international law.
He emphasized that Greenland’s future could not be shaped by public statements or social media posts.
Opinion polls in Greenland have consistently shown strong opposition to joining the United States, despite support for eventual independence from Denmark.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the United States had no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom and stressed that Greenland is covered by NATO’s collective defense guarantees.
Her remarks followed a social media post by a Trump ally showing Greenland overlaid with the American flag, which drew a formal response from Denmark’s ambassador in Washington.
European Union officials also rejected Trump’s claim that the bloc needed U.S. control of Greenland, reaffirming support for territorial integrity.
The renewed dispute comes after a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which has heightened concerns in Copenhagen and Nuuk about the implications of Trump’s rhetoric.
While Trump has previously refused to rule out the use of force, Denmark, Greenland, and European partners have reiterated that only Greenland and the Danish kingdom can decide the territory’s future.