In a striking declaration that has reignited geopolitical tensions, US President Donald Trump has asserted his intention to take action regarding Greenland, explicitly stating he would do so "whether they like it or not."
A Stark Warning to Russia and China
Speaking from the White House on January 9, 2026, during a press conference focused on Venezuelan oil, President Trump shifted focus to the Arctic. He warned that if the United States did not move first, Russia or China would "take over Greenland." The President, notably wearing a lapel pin depicting a miniature version of himself, framed the issue as a direct national security imperative.
"We are not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour," Trump stated emphatically. He outlined his preferred method, saying, "I’d like to do a deal the easy way," but followed with a stark ultimatum: "if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re gonna do it the hard way."
Dismissing Denmark's Historical Claim
The US leader's comments directly challenge the sovereignty of Denmark, which colonised Greenland in the 18th century. Since the 1950s, Greenland has been an autonomous overseas territory within the Danish realm with its own Parliament.
While professing to be a "big fan of Denmark," Trump dismissed the historical basis of its claim. "The fact they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean that they own the land," he argued, overlooking the indigenous Inuit inhabitants, known as Kalaallit Nunaat, who have lived on the island for millennia.
Both the Danish government and the people of Greenland have repeatedly stated the island is not for sale. However, the Trump administration has previously suggested it could use the US military or pursue a purchase. When pressed on a potential financial offer, Trump said, "I’m not talking about money for Greenland, yet."
Context of Broader Resource Ambitions
The Greenland remarks came during a meeting with oil executives, held less than a week after a US special operation captured Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro. Trump argued the US was "owed" oil from Venezuela's vast reserves, the largest in the world, linking his foreign policy actions to a drive for strategic resources.
When questioned about his unusual self-portrait lapel pin, Trump referred to it as a "Happy Trump" given to him by someone else. He quipped, "considering the fact that I’m never happy… I’m never satisfied — I will never be satisfied until we Make America Great Again!"
This latest pronouncement on Greenland signals a potential new flashpoint in Arctic geopolitics, raising serious questions about international law, sovereignty, and the future of the island's 56,000 inhabitants.
