Trump calls Greenland “vital” for US security, pushing for American control to deploy the Golden Dome missile defense system. Denmark and Greenland reject the demand, raising tensions ahead of high-level White House talks.
Trump's remarks have heightened tensions with Denmark and Greenland
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his controversial demand for American control of Greenland, describing the Arctic island as “vital” for national security. In a social media post, Trump insisted that the United States “needs Greenland” to build and operate the proposed Golden Dome air and missile defense network, a system he said is critical to protecting American soil.
Trump added that NATO would be “far more formidable and effective” if Greenland were under U.S. control, warning that “anything less than that is unacceptable.” He also stressed that NATO should take the lead in developing layered missile defenses, cautioning that rival powers such as Russia or China could gain an advantage if the US does not act.
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Trump’s statements come just before high-level meetings at the White House, where the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland are scheduled to meet US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. These talks are expected to address the growing diplomatic dispute over Trump’s push for American sovereignty over the strategically located island.
Officials from Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any idea of ceding control, emphasizing that Greenland’s future should be determined by its people and in accordance with international law. European allies have also criticized the U.S. stance, calling it a potential challenge to regional stability and sovereignty norms.
Greenland, located between the Arctic and North Atlantic, holds significant strategic value for military operations and missile defense. Trump’s Golden Dome network is envisioned as a multilayered air and missile defense system to strengthen U.S. national security. He argued that having direct control of Greenland would allow the United States to lead NATO efforts and counter potential threats from Russia and China.
The Arctic island’s location provides a critical vantage point for monitoring missile activity and securing northern approaches to the U.S. mainland. Analysts have noted that Trump’s insistence on sovereignty over Greenland represents a rare escalation in U.S. territorial ambitions and has the potential to strain long-standing alliances.
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While the U.S. frames the proposal as a security measure, Denmark and Greenland view it as an infringement on sovereignty. The upcoming talks in Washington will test whether diplomatic negotiations can reconcile U.S. defense interests with the territorial rights and autonomy of Greenland, all while maintaining alliance cohesion in NATO.
The situation underscores the growing strategic competition in the Arctic and the delicate balance of military preparedness and international diplomacy in the region.
