The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump is considering “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including the possible use of military force, describing the move as a matter of national security.
In a statement to the BBC, the White House said the president and his advisers were exploring ways to pursue the acquisition, adding that the use of the US military “is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief’s disposal”.
Trump has repeatedly said the United States “needs” Greenland for security reasons, reviving an idea he first floated during his initial presidency. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which, like the US, is a member of NATO.
The comments have triggered strong reactions across Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that any attack by the US on Greenland would effectively bring an end to NATO. Hours later, six European allies — the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint statement backing Copenhagen.
“Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” the statement said. While stressing the importance of Arctic security, the leaders said it must be addressed collectively by NATO allies and in line with international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolable borders under the UN Charter.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, welcomed the show of support and called for “respectful dialogue”, emphasising that Greenland’s status is grounded in international law.
The controversy has intensified following a recent US military operation in Venezuela, where American forces detained President Nicolás Maduro and transported him to New York to face drug and weapons charges. Shortly after the operation, Katie Miller — the wife of senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller posted an image of Greenland coloured like the US flag with the word “SOON” on social media.
Stephen Miller later stated that it was “the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US”, arguing that American control of the territory was essential for securing the Arctic and defending NATO interests. When asked whether the US would rule out using force, he said: “Nobody’s going to fight the US over the future of Greenland.”
Trump first proposed buying Greenland in 2019, calling it “a large real estate deal”. Interest in the Arctic has grown as climate change opens new shipping routes and increases strategic competition with Russia and China. In March last year, Trump said the US would “go as far as we have to go” to gain control of the territory.
During a congressional hearing last summer, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Pentagon prepares for all scenarios. “Our job at the Defence Department is to have plans for any contingency,” he said.
Greenland has had extensive self-rule since 1979, although defence and foreign policy remain under Danish control. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show strong opposition to becoming part of the United States.
Morgan Angaju, a 27-year-old Inuit resident of Ilulissat, told the BBC the situation was “terrifying”.
“We are already claimed by the Greenlandic people. Kalaallit Nunaat means the land of the Greenlandic people,” he said, adding that he fears what could happen next, including the possibility of US military action.
