Washington is actively exploring a range of strategies to acquire Greenland, with the potential use of American military force now under discussion, according to statements from the White House. This development, reported on January 7, 2026, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and raised profound questions about the future of the NATO alliance.
From Real Estate Deal to Military Gambit
US President Donald Trump, who has previously floated the idea of purchasing the vast Arctic island, is now considering more forceful measures. A White House spokesperson confirmed yesterday that "the president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief’s disposal." The administration has repeatedly asserted that Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark home to roughly 56,000 people, rightfully belongs to the United States.
This stance has been met with firm resistance from Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stressed the island is not for sale and issued a stark warning, suggesting such an aggressive American move could spell the end of NATO and upend the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Why the Arctic Prize is So Coveted
The strategic motivations behind Washington's interest are multifaceted and deeply rooted in geopolitics and resources:
- Arctic Dominance: Greenland sits in the Arctic Circle, a region where global powers are increasingly vying for military control. The US already maintains a missile defence base on the island.
- Climate Change Opportunities: As melting ice caps open new Arctic shipping routes, controlling Greenland would provide a crucial outpost between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
- Vast Mineral Wealth: The territory holds large deposits of rare earth minerals essential for manufacturing batteries, smartphones, and electric vehicles.
- Potential Energy Reserves: It is also believed to harbour significant, though largely untapped, pools of oil and gas.
Prime Minister Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2, "I believe one should take the American president seriously when he says that he wants Greenland." Her concern is shared by key NATO allies, who have rallied in support of Denmark's sovereignty.
A Fractured Alliance and Defiant Response
In a powerful show of unity, several NATO members—including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland—issued a joint statement affirming that Greenland's future can only be decided by its people and Danish officials. "We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries," they declared.
Greenland's own Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, welcomed this support, emphasising the need for "respectful dialogue." The issue has been thrust back into the spotlight following recent US military actions in Venezuela, which included the abduction of that country's president. In a provocative social media post, Katie Miller, wife of Trump senior aide Stephen Miller, shared an image of Greenland coloured in the US flag with the caption "Soon."
Her husband later told CNN, "Nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland." This marks at least the third time the US has attempted to claim the territory, following failed bids in 1846 and 1946. While President Trump, a former property developer, has expressed a preference for a purchase over an invasion, the explicit discussion of military options represents a dangerous and significant escalation that threatens to fracture the Western alliance.
