US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for American control over Greenland, emphasizing that failure to secure the Danish autonomous territory could allow Russia or China to gain dominance there. In remarks to reporters at the White House on January 9, 2026, Trump highlighted strategic concerns in the Arctic, stating that Russian and Chinese naval vessels are active around Greenland and insisting the US must intervene.
Trump’s Statements on Greenland’s Strategic Importance
Speaking during a meeting with oil executives, Trump reiterated his long-standing interest in bringing Greenland under US control. He noted that his administration is considering various options, including a potential purchase, but declined to discuss financial details at this time. “I’m not talking about money for Greenland yet. I might talk about that,” he said.
Trump stressed the need for outright ownership rather than existing leasing arrangements for US military bases on the island. He argued that true defense requires ownership, warning that without US action, rival powers could fill the void. In his most pointed remarks, Trump declared: “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not. Because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland. And we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”
Diplomatic Engagements and NATO Discussions
On the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The State Department reported that the conversation focused on the “significance of Arctic security for all NATO Allies.”
NATO officials noted that the alliance conducted an ambassador-level meeting on January 8 to discuss bolstering surveillance activities in the Arctic region. Observers interpret these steps as efforts to preserve the current status quo in Greenland while demonstrating NATO’s commitment to countering potential Russian and Chinese activities in the area.
Rubio has indicated plans to meet with Danish officials next week to address the matter, with the Greenlandic government confirming it has requested such talks.
Greenlandic Leaders’ Firm Response
Ruling and opposition parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement on January 9, firmly rejecting external control over their future. They declared that “the future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people.”
In a clear assertion of self-determination, the statement read: “We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.”
