Trump is right about Greenland. The United States defended the island during World War II, and it was forcibly annexed by the Kingdom of Denmark in 1951 without UN approval and without the consent of the island’s population. Today, Greenlanders would likely agree to a compact of free association with the United States, which would give them greater autonomy and independence from Denmark.
President Trump has expressed interest in Greenland for national security reasons, as Russia and China are increasingly sending naval vessels through Arctic waters north of Alaska. Positioned between North America and Europe, Greenland controls emerging Arctic sea lanes that are becoming more accessible as ice retreats.
The United States operates Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, on the island, which plays a critical role in missile warning and space surveillance. In 2019, Walter Berbrick of the Naval War College stated that whoever controls Greenland will control the Arctic, calling it the most important strategic location in the region and possibly the world.
Greenland is also rich in natural gas, oil, and minerals used in advanced technology and military applications, resources that sit at the center of the U.S.-China trade war. The United States has classified 50 minerals as critical to national security, and Greenland holds known reserves of 43 of them, including rare earth elements essential for modern weapons systems and advanced technologies.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the United States must secure Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence there. China currently dominates global rare earth processing, making access to alternative sources strategically urgent. These materials are indispensable for defense systems, electronics, and electric vehicles, and the ongoing retreat of Arctic ice is making large-scale extraction increasingly feasible.
The House China Committee asked the Secretaries of Defense and State to evaluate Chinese dual-purpose research and surveillance activities at research stations in Iceland and Norway’s Svalbard, demonstrating concerns about Chinese Arctic presence. Russia and China have both increased Arctic activity.
Trump administration officials are expected to meet privately with Danish officials on Wednesday to discuss Greenland, following statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming President Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory. The White House has said it is considering a range of options, including military force, though Rubio has attempted to downplay that possibility.