Washington has acknowledged that President Donald Trump and his advisers are actively weighing several pathways to bring Greenland under United States control, including scenarios that involve military power, a move that has intensified unease across Europe.
In a statement to the BBC, the White House described Greenland, a self governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a fellow NATO partner, as a strategic priority tied directly to US national security interests. The comments followed a coordinated show of support for Denmark by European leaders, who have closed ranks against Washington’s renewed interest in the Arctic island.
Over the weekend, Trump again argued that Greenland was essential to American security, remarks that prompted a sharp response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She warned that any military action by the United States against Denmark or its territory would effectively shatter the NATO alliance, which is built on the principle of mutual defence among its members.
Despite the alarm raised by Trump’s rhetoric, US officials have sought to strike a more measured tone. The White House said discussions were ongoing and wide ranging, noting that while military options always remain available to a US commander in chief, no decision had been taken. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers during a closed door briefing that there were no plans to invade Greenland, pointing instead to the idea of purchasing the territory from Denmark.
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The State Department later stressed Washington’s interest in deepening economic engagement with Greenland, framing its ambitions around trade and investment rather than force. Officials cited growing activity by rival powers in the Arctic as a shared concern among the United States, Denmark, and NATO allies, arguing that the region’s strategic importance has increased sharply in recent years.
Copenhagen and Greenlandic authorities have moved quickly to seek direct talks with Rubio, hoping to clear what Denmark’s foreign minister called misunderstandings surrounding US intentions. Meanwhile, Europe has sent a firm political signal. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint declaration underscoring that Greenland’s future rests solely with its people and the Danish realm.
While acknowledging common security interests in the Arctic, the statement insisted that any response must be collective and grounded in NATO cooperation. It also reaffirmed core international norms, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders under the United Nations Charter.