Trump won't rule out military force to take Greenland
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
NUUK, Greenland — The Danish foreign minister on Saturday scolded the Trump administration for its "tone" in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his country is already investing more into Arctic security and remains open to more cooperation with the U.S.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen made the remarks in a video posted to social media after U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to the strategic island. Later Saturday, though, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained an aggressive tone, telling NBC News that "I never take military force off the table" in regards to acquiring Greenland.
"Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism," Rasmussen said speaking in English. "But let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies."
Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally of the United States. Trump wants to annex the territory, claiming it's needed for national security purposes.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
In Saturday's interview, Trump allowed that "I think there's a good possibility that we could do it without military force."
"This is world peace, this is international security," he said, but added: "I don't take anything off the table."
Trump also said "I don't care" when asked in the NBC interview what message it would send to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is trying to solidify his hold on Ukrainian territory three years after his invasion.
Vance on Friday said Denmark has "underinvested" in Greenland's security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as Trump pushes to take over the Danish territory.
Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik Space Base on mineral-rich Greenland alongside his wife and other senior U.S. officials for a trip that was ultimately scaled back after an uproar among Greenlanders and Danes who were not consulted about the original itinerary.
"Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland," Vance said Friday. "You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change."
Trump on Friday released a video on his social networking site Truth Social entitled "America Stands With Greenland," showing footage of U.S. troops there during World War II.
In Greenland, Vance said the U.S. has "no option" but to take a significant position to ensure the security of the island as he encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.
"I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States," Vance said. "We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they'd fare a lot better economically as well."
The reaction by members of Greenland's parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration's attempts to annex the vast Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back on Vance's claim that Denmark isn't doing enough for defense in the Arctic, calling her country "a good and strong ally."
And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday agreed to form a new government, banding together to resist Trump's overtures. Four of the five parties elected to Greenland's parliament earlier this month have agreed to form a coalition that will have 23 of 31 seats in the legislature.
The following day, Danish King Frederik X posted on Facebook: "We live in an altered reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the people of Greenland are intact."
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated Saturday outside the U.S. Embassy in the Danish capital Copenhagen with some lifting signs saying, "back off, USA" Danish broadcaster TV2 reported.
Even Greenland's national dogsled race - Avannaata Qimussersu - which kicked off Saturday with some 37 mushers and 444 dogs was not left unaffected. Usha Vance, the vice president's wife, who was originally scheduled to attend the race opted out when her husband decided to join the trip and visit the military base instead, reducing the likelihood that they would cross paths with Greenlanders.
Løkke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers of the 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. Since 1945, the American military presence in Greenland has decreased from thousands of soldiers over 17 bases and installations on the island, he said, to the remote Pituffik Space Base in the northwest with some 200 soldiers today.
The 1951 agreement "offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland," the foreign minister said. "If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it."
Løkke Rasmussen added that Denmark has increased its own investment into Arctic defense. In January, Denmark announced 14.6 billion Danish kroner (US$2.1 billion) in financial commitments for Arctic security covering three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites.
Copyright 2025, NPR
