Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump has intensified his administration’s controversial push for U.S. control of Greenland, declaring that the United States will act on the Arctic territory “whether they like it or not,” framing the issue as a matter of national and global security.
Speaking at the White House on Friday during a meeting with oil executives, Trump argued that Greenland’s strategic location makes it vulnerable to influence from rival powers. He warned that if the United States does not step in, Russia or China could seek control of the island, a prospect he said Washington cannot accept. Trump did not specify what form U.S. action might take but suggested that decisive steps were inevitable.
The president said he would prefer to reach an agreement through negotiation, describing that path as “the easy way.” However, he added that if diplomacy fails, the United States would pursue its objectives “the hard way,” language that has unsettled allies and raised concerns about potential coercive measures. When asked about the financial terms of a possible deal, Trump said he was not yet discussing money but left open the possibility of doing so later.
Greenland, a vast, resource-rich island in the Arctic, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Its leaders have repeatedly rejected any suggestion that the territory could be sold or transferred. Greenlandic officials have emphasized that the island belongs to its people and that questions of sovereignty are not open for negotiation.
Denmark has echoed that position, firmly defending Greenland’s status and warning against rhetoric that challenges established international norms. European allies have also expressed concern, stressing that territorial integrity and sovereignty remain core principles of transatlantic cooperation, particularly within NATO.
The dispute has prompted urgent diplomatic engagement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with senior officials from Denmark and Greenland in the coming days following their request for high-level talks. The meetings are widely seen as an attempt to cool tensions and clarify Washington’s intentions after Trump’s remarks.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties have largely distanced themselves from the idea of acquiring Greenland. Senior members of Congress have said they see no basis for negotiations over ownership of the territory, noting that the United States, Denmark, and Greenland have long cooperated as allies. House Speaker Mike Johnson has dismissed suggestions that Congress would support military action to seize the island.
Still, senior administration officials have defended the president’s focus on Greenland. Vice President JD Vance urged European leaders to take Trump’s statements seriously, arguing that Greenland plays a critical role in missile defense and Arctic security. He pointed to increased interest in the region from hostile actors as justification for a more assertive U.S. posture.
Security analysts note that the United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland under long-standing agreements with Denmark, providing early-warning and missile-defense capabilities. Critics of Trump’s approach argue that these arrangements already address U.S. security concerns and that escalating rhetoric risks damaging alliances at a time of heightened global instability.
The controversy underscores the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, where climate change has opened new shipping routes and intensified competition over natural resources. While Washington views Greenland as strategically indispensable, many observers warn that unilateral pressure could undermine the cooperative frameworks that have long governed the region.
As diplomatic talks approach, the future of U.S.–Danish relations and broader Arctic cooperation may hinge on whether the dispute can be managed through dialogue or becomes a deeper source of transatlantic strain.
