Donald Trump claims ‘we’re 100% getting Greenland’ – But Danish officials have pushed back
Donald Trump has made the bold claim that the US will “100%” acquire Greenland, as Danish officials push back.
Trump, who first floated buying Greenland during his first term in 2019, is now openly suggesting that a US takeover of the semi-autonomous Danish territory could actually happen.
His administration, along with Vice President JD Vance, is ramping up rhetoric and visits to the ice-covered island, home to roughly 57,000 people and a treasure trove of natural resources.
While in Greenland, Vance didn’t hold back in criticizing Denmark for what he described as years of neglect.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
He added: “I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States. We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.”
Now, in a new interview with NBC, Trump has claimed: “We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,” adding: “Good possibility that we could do it without military force… I don’t take anything off the table.”
Despite the American president’s confident remarks, the message from Nuuk — the capital of Greenland — is clear: Back off.
“We don’t want to be Americans, nor Danes; we are Kalaallit,” said outgoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede. “We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken. Our future will be decided by us in Greenland.”
In response to Trump’s latest statement, Egede reiterated during the election campaign: “We deserve to be treated with respect and I don’t think the American president has done that lately since he took office.”
He previously said Greenland should free itself from “the shackles of colonialism” but advocated for gradual steps toward autonomy.
Denmark, meanwhile, is not impressed.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen pushed back at the tone coming from Trump’s White House, per BBC News.
“Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism,” Rasmussen said.
“But let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.”
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