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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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President Donald Trump vowed that the United States will gain control over Greenland, currently a Danish autonomous territory, "one way or another" during his address to Congress on Tuesday.
Newsweek contacted the Danish and Greenlandic governments for comment via email on Wednesday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Since his second presidential inauguration on January 20, Trump has suggested he wants to expand American territory in a number of directions. He has urged Canada to join the American Union as its 51st state, demanded the right to purchase Greenland from Denmark and called for U.S. sovereignty to be restored over the Panama Canal.
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Trump says such expansion is needed to protect U.S. national security, though it has sparked major rows between Washington and some of its historic closest allies with the American anthem being booed at sporting events in Canada.
What To Know
Speaking during his address, Trump said: "I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your own future and if you choose we welcome you into the United States of America.
"We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we're working with everybody involved to try and get it.
"But we need it really for international, for world security, and I think we're going to get it. One way or the other, we're going to get it."
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Following his inauguration in January, Trump declined to rule out using force to bring Greenland under American sovereignty.
Both Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede have repeatedly rejected the territory coming under U.S. control.
Speaking in January, Egede, who has campaigned for Greenland to become independent of Denmark, said Greenlanders "don't want to be American."
Frederiksen said "there must be respect for territory and the sovereignty of states," adding she had "no reason to believe that there is any military threat to Greenland or Denmark."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen was blunter, telling reporters Trump would "not have Greenland," adding: "The Greenlandic people are a people, also in the sense of international law."
A poll conducted by Verian, on behalf of Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic publication Sermitsiaq, found only six percent of Greenlanders are in favor of the territory coming under U.S. sovereignty.
By contrast, 85 percent were opposed to the idea, whilst nine percent said they were unsure. The survey took place between January 22 and 27 and included 497 Greenlandic citizens over the age of 18.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Carl Bildt, the former Swedish prime minister, wrote: "Trump repeats the threat of [USA flag emoji] occupying, annexing or absorbing [Greenland and Denmark flag emojis]. That's the Putin way of treating countries."
Barry McCaffrey, a former U.S. general who served in President Bill Clinton's administration, said: "The threat to seize Greenland is inexplicable. We already have a military presence there in a NATO base. Are we a criminal predator nation?"
Professor Michael McFaul, an academic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia, on X said: "I don't want to spend treasure or blood to seize the Panama Canal or Greenland. Do you?"
Writing in January about Trump's plan, economist and commentator Noah Smith said: "America should definitely buy Greenland if possible."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen how far Trump will go in his efforts to persuade Denmark to transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States. Potentially, he could use tariffs or other economic measures to pressure Copenhagen to sell. However, any such moves would likely cause a further backlash in Europe where there is already significant anger over Trump policies such as cutting aid to Ukraine.
Update 3/5/25, 3:50 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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