US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Greenland should be controlled by the United States rather than Denmark, citing its strategic importance amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region.
| Photo Credit:
Dado Ruvic
U.S. President Donald
Trump said on Tuesday that Greenland should be controlled by the
United States, not Denmark, as NATO leaders gathered for a
summit in Turkey.
Trump’s assertions that the U.S. must acquire or control
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, sparked tensions
between Washington and Copenhagen – both founding NATO members –
and more broadly across Europe. The issue has since moved to a
diplomatic track.
“That should be controlled by the United States, not by
Denmark,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with Turkish
President Tayyip Erdogan.
Trump said the issue of control over Greenland had harmed
U.S. ties with NATO.
“That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO, because
Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to
really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United
States, and it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships,
and that’s not going to happen,” he said.
“They wouldn’t go along with it, and with all the money we
spend to help them with Russia.”
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said in June that
conversations with Denmark and Greenland were continuing
monthly.
Published on July 7, 2026