The White House on Tuesday confirmed that President Donald Trump and his advisers are actively discussing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, explicitly stating that utilizing the U.S. military remains “always an option” in pursuit of this national security priority.
In a statement, press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s long-standing view that control of the vast Arctic island is essential to counter adversaries like Russia and China. “President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” Leavitt said. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal.”
The announcement escalates tensions with Denmark, Greenland’s sovereign power and a fellow NATO member, coming just days after Trump’s renewed public insistence on the issue following the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Senior adviser Stephen Miller reinforced the administration’s stance in interviews, asserting that “Greenland should be part of the United States” to secure NATO interests in the Arctic. When pressed on potential military action, Miller stated that “nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,” while questioning Denmark’s historical claim to the territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a classified briefing to lawmakers, reportedly indicated the administration prefers purchasing Greenland outright, downplaying immediate invasion risks. Options under consideration include a direct buyout or a Compact of Free Association, though Trump has shown interest only in full incorporation.
The rhetoric has provoked sharp backlash from Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. attack on Greenland “would mean the end of NATO,” describing Trump’s threats as “unacceptable pressure.” In a joint statement Tuesday, leaders from France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark reaffirmed that “Greenland belongs to its people” and stressed collective Arctic security through NATO allies, including the U.S.
Greenland’s leadership echoed the rejection, with officials insisting the island is “not for sale” and calling for respect of its autonomy. The territory, home to about 57,000 people and rich in rare earth minerals, already hosts a U.S. military base at Pituffik, but Denmark has rebuffed suggestions that expanded presence suffices.
Analysts note Trump’s revived interest—first floated in 2019—aligns with broader assertions of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and Arctic, amid melting ice caps opening new strategic and resource opportunities. International observers warn that forcible acquisition could fracture the NATO alliance, founded on mutual defense principles.
The situation remains fluid, with no immediate plans announced for diplomatic negotiations.