In a significant geopolitical development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited his administration’s controversial campaign to acquire Greenland, asserting American control over the autonomous Danish territory as essential to national security. Through his Truth Social platform on January 14th, Trump declared the island “vital” to his proposed “Golden Dome” air and missile defense system, stating that “anything less” than U.S. control would be “unacceptable.”
The push comes amid high-level diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with officials from both Denmark and Greenland. Both governments have firmly rejected Trump’s overtures, with Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt unequivocally stating: “Greenland does not want to be owned by, governed by or part of the United States.”
Internal estimates from U.S. officials familiar with planning suggest the acquisition could cost between $500 billion and $700 billion—exceeding half of the Pentagon’s annual budget. Despite the staggering price tag, a senior White House official confirmed that Rubio has been directed to develop a purchase proposal as a “high priority” initiative.
The situation has triggered diplomatic repercussions beyond U.S.-Danish relations. China responded through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, cautioning against using other countries “as a pretext” to pursue interests in Greenland. Mao emphasized that “China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development” and that all countries’ rights to conduct lawful Arctic activities “should be fully respected.”
Meanwhile, Denmark has strengthened its military presence in Greenland in coordination with NATO allies, while protests have erupted in Copenhagen with demonstrators chanting “Greenland is for Greenlanders” outside the U.S. embassy. The territory already hosts a small U.S. military base under a 1951 agreement, but Trump maintains that without American control, Russia or China would eventually dominate the region, vowing “one way or another, we’re going to have Greenland.”