President Donald Trump told The New York Times in a January 7 interview that his pursuit of full “ownership” of Greenland is, in his words, “psychologically important” for him personally, framing the Arctic territory as central to his strategic and emotional calculations.
During a two-hour sit-down with multiple Times reporters, Trump was asked why he would not simply increase the U.S. military presence on Greenland — something allowed under a Cold War–era agreement with Denmark — if his stated goal is to deter foreign threats. Trump replied that a larger troop footprint alone would not suffice. “Why is ownership important here?” Times national security correspondent David E. Sanger asked. “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success,” Trump said. “I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document, that you can have a base.”
When asked whether the psychological importance was for him personally or for the United States, Trump replied, “Psychologically important for me. Now, maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I’ve been right about everything.”
Trump’s comments came amid continued public statements that the U.S. would act to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence over Greenland. “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,” he told reporters on January 9. He also indicated he is not opposed to using nuclear force to take the territory, though he acknowledged that such action “might upset NATO,” as Greenland is a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark.
.@POTUS: "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. I would like to make a deal the easy way." pic.twitter.com/O3wH89icOp
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 9, 2026
The remarks have raised immediate concerns among U.S. lawmakers and NATO officials. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy warned on NBC News’ Meet the Press that a U.S. takeover of Greenland could effectively “end NATO,” citing Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, which considers any armed attack on a NATO member to be an attack on all members.
Trump’s statements have also drawn reactions from other countries. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the U.S. of using “other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen posted on Facebook that “the idea of freedom should not be compromised” and reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to defending its values and upholding international law, sovereignty, and self-determination. “Denmark is a loyal and strong ally. We are in the midst of a significant rearmament, and we are ready to defend our values — wherever it is necessary — also in the Arctic,” she wrote.
Trump’s Greenland comments follow months of public discussion about the Arctic territory, which is rich in minerals and oil reserves. Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as vital to U.S. security and global influence, making it a near-daily talking point in early 2026. In the Times interview, Trump also said that “my own morality. My own mind … it’s the only thing that can stop me” from achieving broader strategic objectives.
