US President Donald Trump has once again intensified his demand for Greenland, insisting that acquiring the autonomous island is critical for both “national and international security.” His renewed remarks have sparked alarm in Greenland, with local leaders openly warning citizens to prepare for the worst, including the possibility of a military conflict.
Speaking to News Nation, Trump reiterated that Greenland’s strategic location makes it indispensable to the United States. “It’s in a location that is very important for our national security, and also for the international security of the world, literally,” he said. Trump also floated the idea of building a “Golden Dome” missile defence system on the island to intercept potential threats from Russia, China and other adversaries.
As Trump continues to pressure allies over his ambitions, Greenland’s leadership has responded with caution and concern. Prime Minister and Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned that while a military conflict is unlikely, it cannot be completely ruled out. Addressing a press conference in Nuuk, he said Greenland would establish a task force involving key local authorities to prepare for all possible scenarios.
Greenland’s finance minister and former prime minister Mute B. Egede echoed those concerns, saying the territory is under increasing pressure and must be ready for any outcome.
The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from global leaders. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised Trump’s approach, calling it a “shift towards a world without rules” where international law is ignored and imperial ambitions are resurfacing. Macron’s comments followed Trump’s threat to impose 200 percent tariffs on French wines and champagnes.
Canada and several NATO allies have also publicly expressed their support for Denmark and Greenland, pushing back against any unilateral US action.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. Since returning to office, he has repeatedly argued that the US “needs” the island to counter Russia and China. Beyond security concerns, Greenland’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals — crucial for modern technology and defence industries — are widely seen as a major underlying motivation.
Tensions surrounding Greenland have grown in the wake of recent US military actions elsewhere, including a controversial raid in Venezuela that resulted in a major oil deal and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Against this backdrop, Trump’s escalating rhetoric has heightened fears that Greenland could become the next flashpoint in global geopolitics.