"We really need Greenland for defense purposes," US President Donald Trump said in an interview published by The Atlantic on 4/1, arguing that the Danish island "is surrounded by Russian and Chinese warships."

When asked if the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro indicated US readiness for military action to control Greenland, Trump replied that this "would be decided by others."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen subsequently declared the idea that Washington needs to control Greenland is completely absurd, asserting that the US "has no right to annex any of the three territories belonging to Denmark."

"I strongly urge the US to stop making threats against a historically close ally, as well as against another territory and people who state they are not for sale," Frederiksen said.

Coastal homes in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, 3/2025. Photo: AP

US allies in Europe were shaken following the operation to capture Maduro and the US president's declaration that the country would govern Venezuela. Many in Denmark fear a similar situation could occur with Greenland.

Katie Miller, wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, posted a meme on social media on 3/1 showing Greenland covered by the US flag with the caption "Soon."

Danish Ambassador to the US Jesper Moeller Soerensen later reposted the image and published his own article in protest, stating that Copenhagen desires respect for its territorial integrity. "We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such," he said.

Greenland is the world's largest island, located near North America, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. The island belongs to Denmark, has a population of 57,000 people, and covers an area of approximately 2.16 million sq km, which is larger than Mexico and more than three times the size of the US state of Texas.

The island lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it a strategically important location for Washington. Greenland possesses abundant mineral resources, largely untapped.

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has repeatedly stated his desire for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to achieve this goal.

Greenland's location. Graphic: Britannica

Denmark sought to mend relations with Greenland in 2025, while also working to ease tensions with the Trump administration by investing in Arctic defense capabilities to address US security criticisms.

The US has maintained a military base in Greenland since World War II. US Vice President JD Vance visited this base in 3/2025 and called on Greenlanders to "reach an agreement with the US."

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, CNN)