US President Donald Trump renewed his insistence on annexing Greenland on Wednesday, arguing that the United States needs the island for national security and that Denmark cannot be relied upon to defend it, while suggesting the territory’s current governance would ultimately have to be resolved.
His remarks followed meetings in Washington between senior US officials and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, where the future of the island and growing security and strategic concerns were discussed. The talks produced no shift in Washington’s position, reinforcing the prospect of prolonged tension between the United States and Denmark.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Greenland was “critically important for national security, including Denmark’s security,” claiming Copenhagen would be powerless if Russia or China sought to seize the island. “There’s nothing Denmark could do—but there’s a lot we could do,” he said, adding that all options remained on the table and that annexation would strengthen NATO.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt condemned Washington’s stance as an “unacceptable violation of sovereignty,” stressing that Greenland is not for sale and that any threat of force is reckless. Several European countries voiced support for Denmark, arguing that security concerns must be addressed among allies.
Denmark Rejects Annexation
Rasmussen said there was a “fundamental disagreement” between Copenhagen and Washington over Greenland’s future, following talks at the White House with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While describing the meeting as “frank and constructive,” he said it exposed Trump’s continued determination to “take over” Greenland, calling the idea “entirely unacceptable.”
“We made it absolutely clear that this is not in Denmark’s interest,” Rasmussen said, warning against crossing Denmark’s “red lines.” He noted that working groups would meet in the coming weeks to explore a possible compromise, as Denmark and Greenland remain open to expanding the US military presence on the island.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen: “The president has made his view clear…For us, ideas that would not respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are…totally unacceptable.” pic.twitter.com/PqX3PSc86w
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) January 14, 2026
Rasmussen acknowledged “an element of truth” in US warnings about increased Russian and Chinese interest in the Arctic but rejected what he called exaggerations, dismissing Trump’s claims of Russian and Chinese warships operating around Greenland as inaccurate.
Despite the lack of a breakthrough in the trilateral talks, the parties agreed to establish a high-level working group to continue discussions on the future of the self-governing Danish territory.
Greenland: No to Annexation, Yes to Cooperation
Greenland’s foreign minister said the territory is “open to greater cooperation with the United States” but firmly opposed any attempt at annexation. “We have made our boundaries clear,” Motzfeldt said.
Trump, however, reiterated that the United States “needs Greenland for national security,” insisting Washington alone could protect the island if Russia or China attempted to occupy it, and casting doubt on Denmark’s ability to do so.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt gets visibly emotional, briefly breaks down on live interview:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 15, 2026
“We are doing our utmost. But the last days, naturally… oh, I am getting very emotional. I am overwhelmed.” pic.twitter.com/8v5vHoAk0Y
Greenland’s strategic importance lies in its location between North America and the Arctic, making it a key site for early warning systems and maritime surveillance. Since World War II, the United States has operated the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, where more than 100 US troops are currently stationed under existing defense agreements with Denmark.
Source: Al-Manar Website