Post by : Meena Ariff

US President Donald Trump has said the United States must take ownership of Greenland to stop Russia and China from gaining influence in the Arctic region. He argued that simply leasing land or relying on defence agreements is not enough for long-term security, stressing that ownership is the only way to ensure full protection.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the US would secure Greenland either “the easy way” or “the hard way,” raising concerns among US allies. He claimed Greenland’s strategic location makes it critical for national defence, particularly for monitoring missile threats and military movements between North America and Europe.

Greenland already hosts a long-standing US military base at Pituffik, where American forces have been stationed since World War Two. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US can deploy additional troops to the island if needed. However, Trump said such arrangements fall short, insisting that nations must own territory to properly defend it.

Denmark and Greenland strongly rejected Trump’s remarks, stating clearly that Greenland is not for sale. Danish officials warned that any attempt to seize the territory would seriously damage trans-Atlantic relations and could threaten NATO unity. Greenland’s political leaders said their future should be decided by the Greenlandic people alone.

Several NATO countries, including major European allies and Canada, voiced support for Denmark. They emphasized that Arctic security must be handled collectively by allies while respecting international law, sovereignty, and territorial borders under the UN Charter.

Interest in Greenland has grown in recent years due to its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and potential oil and gas reserves. Melting ice caused by climate change has made these resources easier to access, increasing the island’s global strategic value.

Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland has reignited international debate, with critics warning that such statements could escalate tensions and weaken long-standing alliances. Greenland’s leaders reiterated that they do not wish to become Americans or Danes, reaffirming their desire for self-determination and independence.

#Donald Trump