Why does Trump want Greenland? What does this mean for NATO?

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the United States should take over Greenland, arguing that it would be beneficial to U.S. security.

His request was rejected by the island’s leaders and NATO member Denmark, of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory.

Greenland – the world’s largest island that is not a continent – is located in the Arctic.

It is also the most sparsely populated area. Approximately 56,000 people live there, most of them indigenous Inuit.

About 80% of the territory is covered in ice and snow, which means that most people live on the southwestern coast around the capital Nuuk.

Greenland’s economy is mainly based on fishing and receives substantial subsidies from the Danish government.

But in recent years there has been growing interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including the mining of rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. These may become more accessible as global warming causes the massive ice cap covering the island to melt.

Valuable mineral resources have been a key focus for Trump elsewhere in the world, including dealings with Ukraine.

However, the US president said: “We need Greenland for national security, not mineral resources.”

He also said that “Greenland is full of Russian and Chinese ships.”

Trump renewed calls for the United States to take over Greenland following a U.S. military attack on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and transferred to New York.

The island’s prime minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, responded by saying “enough is enough now” and described the idea of ​​U.S. control of the island as a “fantasy.”

But Trump and his allies continue to reiterate their threats. The president said he was “very serious” about his plans, adding that Greenland was important to the security of both Europe and the United States.

One of his top aides, Stephen Miller, said “no one is going to fight the United States for the future of Greenland.” He argued that seizing the territory would benefit NATO, the Western military alliance to which the United States and Denmark belong.

He said: The United States is the strength of NATO. For the United States to ensure security in the Arctic and protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, it is clear that Greenland should become part of the United States. “

In 2019, during his first presidential term, Trump offered to buy the island but was told it was not for sale.

After returning to the White House in January 2025, he renewed his interest and did not rule out the use of force.

High-level visits to Greenland have also caused controversy. Vice President J.D. Vance traveled there in March to give a speech accusing Denmark of failing to spend enough to protect the territory.

In late 2025, Trump appointed Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, and he has publicly stated his intention to make the island part of the United States, sparking new debate about U.S. intentions.

BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale said Trump’s stance shocked Denmark, which has traditionally had close ties with Washington.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any effort to take over Greenland would mean the end of NATO.

Another Nato leader, his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer, was asked if he would tell Trump to “free Greenland”. He replied: “Yes.”

Starmer signed a statement with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark, which said: “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and only Denmark and Greenland can decide questions about their relationship.”

Although Greenland is part of the North American continent, it has been controlled by Denmark, which is nearly 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) away, for about 300 years.

But U.S. security interests in Greenland also go back a long way, with two U.S. administrations before Trump making failed efforts to acquire Greenland.

The island was ruled as a colony until the mid-20th century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and impoverished.

During World War II, after Nazi Germany occupied the Danish mainland, the United States invaded the island and established a military base and radio station.

After the war, U.S. troops remained in Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the United States since then.

A 1951 defense agreement with Denmark gave the United States an important role in defending the territory, including the right to establish and maintain military bases.

In 1953, the island became part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.

A 1979 referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, while Denmark retained control of foreign affairs and defence.

Greenland is home to Danish and American military bases.

In response to Trump’s threat in early 2026, Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen said: “No more pressure. No more hints. No more annexation fantasies.”

“We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussion. But it must be done through appropriate channels and respecting international law.”

When BBC reporter Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard this sentence again and again: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can visit, but that’s it.”

The issue took center stage in the territory’s general election that year.

Opinion polls show that a majority of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but an overwhelming majority also rejects joining the United States.

When Trump first floated the idea of ​​buying Greenland in 2019, many locals expressed opposition to the proposal.

“This is a very dangerous idea,” said travel agent Dines Mikaelsen.

“He treats us like commodities he can buy,” said Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first female prime minister.