Trump: U.S. Will Acquire Greenland “Whether They Like It or Not”
President Trump on Friday made his boldest declaration yet regarding Greenland, telling reporters at the White House that the United States will acquire the Arctic territory “whether they like it or not,” citing the threat of Chinese or Russian encroachment as justification.
“If we don’t do it, China or Russia will,” Trump warned. “And we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”
Trump rejected any notions of compromise, like lease agreements or expanded U.S. military presence. He insisted that only ownership would allow proper defense. “You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it,” Trump said.
The comments came during a forum with American oil executives, held just days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The meeting also focused on the potential for U.S. investment in Venezuela’s energy sector.
Trump said he’s not currently discussing a purchase price for Greenland but did not rule out future financial offers. Reuters previously reported that his team had floated a stipend of up to $100,000 per Greenland resident to sway public support.
“I would like to make a deal — the easy way,” Trump said. “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sitting beside the president, is scheduled to meet next week with Danish officials, many of whom are outraged by the escalation. Denmark’s prime minister warned that any U.S. military takeover would effectively dissolve NATO.
Greenland’s local leader, Jens Frederik Nielsen, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Our country is not for sale.”
Still, Trump remained defiant. “I’m a fan of Denmark,” he said, “but the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the land.”
He added, “Countries can’t make nine-year deals, or even 100-year deals. Countries have to have ownership. And you defend ownership.”
If successful, the move would mark the largest territorial acquisition in U.S. history — surpassing both the Louisiana and Alaska purchases.