Jan 14, 2026, 3:04 p.mJan 14, 2026, 3:04 p.m
Shortly before talks between Denmark and the USA in the White House, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his claim to Greenland. “Anything else is unacceptable,” Trump wrote on his mouthpiece Truth Social.
Trump is not giving up on his claim to Greenland.Image: keystone
NATO membership of the territory in the North Atlantic that belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark is not sufficient protection for Greenland, the US President continued.
In doing so, he brushed off a European initiative to strengthen NATO’s presence in the Arctic, with which Germany, among others, had tried to defuse the dispute.
“The United States needs Greenland for national security purposes,” Trump wrote. It is elementary for the construction of the planned Golden Dome missile defense. NATO should therefore prepare the way for a US takeover of the island, Trump continued. In capital letters he wrote: “IF WE DON’T DO IT, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL DO IT, AND THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN!”
Vance’s participation in conversation raises concern
NATO can only develop an effective deterrent thanks to the USA, Trump wrote, adding that this was thanks to the strengthening of the US armed forces during his first term in office. With Greenland in the hands of the USA, NATO will be far more impressive and effective, the Republican continued.
The governments of Denmark and Greenland have made it clear that any sale or annexation of the territory by the United States is unacceptable. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned of an end to NATO if the US government followed through on its announcements.
The Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Greenland Minister responsible for foreign policy Vivian Motzfeldt are expected to speak at the White House today (4:30 p.m. CET).
US Vice President JD Vance also registered at short notice for the conversation with US chief diplomat Marco Rubio, which was originally planned as a meeting of foreign ministers. This raised concerns about a confrontational encounter. Vance is considered a hardliner who contributed significantly to the escalation of the talks last February during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (hkl/sda/dpa)