By Harshit
WASHINGTON, JANUARY 7 —
The White House has confirmed that Donald Trump is considering “a range of options,” including the possible use of military force, to acquire Greenland, dramatically escalating tensions with Denmark and raising alarm across NATO.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the White House described the acquisition of Greenland as a “national security priority,” citing growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic and increased activity by Russia and China in the region.
The remarks come just hours after several European leaders released a joint statement backing Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and warning against any unilateral action by Washington.
White House Confirms Military Option Not Ruled Out
“The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal,” the White House said. “Utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal.”
While US officials stressed that no decision has been made, the inclusion of military force as a possibility has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, particularly because Denmark is a longstanding US ally and NATO member.
The White House emphasized that Greenland’s strategic value lies in its Arctic location, proximity to major shipping routes, and potential access to rare earth minerals essential for advanced technologies.
Denmark and Europe Push Back Strongly
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning, saying that any attack on Greenland would effectively spell the end of NATO as a unified alliance.
“Greenland belongs to its people,” Frederiksen said, reiterating that Denmark would not entertain discussions that violate international law or territorial integrity.
In a rare show of unity, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark released a joint statement affirming that Greenland’s future can only be decided by Greenland and Denmark themselves.
The statement also called for strict adherence to the UN Charter and NATO’s founding principles.
Greenland’s Leaders and Citizens Reject US Claims
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed Europe’s support and called for “respectful dialogue rooted in international law.”
Although Greenland enjoys extensive self-rule, defense and foreign policy remain under Danish authority. Polls consistently show that while many Greenlanders favor eventual independence, there is overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States.
Protests have already taken place across the island, with demonstrators carrying signs rejecting annexation and asserting Greenlandic sovereignty.
Strategic Arctic Stakes Drive US Interest
Trump first floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his first term in 2019, describing it then as “a large real estate deal.” Since returning to office, his administration has framed the issue in sharper security terms.
US officials argue that melting Arctic ice is opening new trade routes and intensifying competition with Russia and China, both of which have increased their presence in polar regions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously told lawmakers that the Pentagon has “plans for any contingency” involving Greenland, comments that have taken on new significance following the White House’s latest statement.
NATO Faces a Defining Test
The controversy has put NATO in an unprecedented position: managing internal tensions sparked by a leading member openly discussing territorial acquisition from another ally.
Diplomats fear that even rhetorical threats could weaken the alliance at a time when it is already strained by conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and rising global instability.
For now, Denmark has requested urgent talks with Washington, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to engage with Danish and Greenlandic officials in the coming days.
Whether the issue leads to negotiations, economic arrangements, or a prolonged standoff remains uncertain. What is clear is that Trump’s comments have pushed Greenland from a peripheral geopolitical concern into the center of global attention.