WASHINGTON / COPENHAGEN – The White House has sent shockwaves through the NATO alliance by declaring that the use of the U.S. military is “always an option” to secure control of Greenland. The statement, issued on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, marks a massive escalation in President Donald Trump’s long-standing ambition to acquire the Arctic territory from Denmark.
The rhetoric has intensified following the weekend’s high-speed U.S. military operation in Venezuela, with the administration now framing Greenland as a “national security priority” essential to deterring Russia and China in the Arctic.
The “Military Option” vs. The “Negotiated Purchase”
The administration appears to be employing a “good cop, bad cop” diplomatic strategy, with the White House taking a far more aggressive stance than the State Department.
- The White House View: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president is “not excluding anything” and has instructed aides to explore “all available avenues” to bring Greenland under U.S. control.
- The State Department View: Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing that the preferred path is a negotiated purchase, downplaying the likelihood of an actual invasion.
- The “Blueprint”: Analysts suggest the swift removal of Nicolás Maduro has emboldened the administration, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller arguing that “nobody is going to fight the U.S. militarily over the future of Greenland.”
Global Backlash: “The End of NATO”
Denmark and its European allies have reacted with a mixture of outrage and disbelief, viewing the threats as a fundamental breach of the post-WWII security order.
| Leader / Entity | Official Response |
| Mette Frederiksen (Danish PM) | Warned that a military move would mean the “end of NATO” and transatlantic security. |
| Jens-Frederik Nielsen (Greenland PM) | Condemned the rhetoric as “disrespectful” and reiterated that Greenland is “not for sale.” |
| European Joint Statement | Leaders of UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland affirmed that Greenland “belongs to its people.” |
| Vivian Motzfeldt (Greenland Foreign Minister) | Requested an “urgent meeting” with Marco Rubio to clarify Washington’s intent. |
The Arctic Strategic Value
Why is the U.S. suddenly so aggressive about Greenland?
- Missile Defense: Greenland is home to the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule), which houses a critical early-warning radar for ICBMs.
- Resource Wealth: The island contains vast deposits of rare earth minerals, essential for electric vehicles and defense technology, currently dominated by China.
- Russian Deterrence: As Arctic ice melts, new shipping routes are opening; the U.S. views Greenland as the ultimate “stationary aircraft carrier” to monitor Russian Northern Fleet movements.