The White House says Donald Trump and his closest advisers are discussing options for seizing Greenland as the US president continues to argue it would benefit his country's security.
His demands were rejected by the island's leadership and NATO member Denmark, which controls Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory.
Where is Greenland and why is it important to Trump?
Greenland is the largest island in the world that is not a continent, located in the Arctic. Its area is about 2.2 million square kilometers (836,330 sq mi), roughly the size of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Saudi Arabia.
It is also the most sparsely populated area in the world, with a population of approximately 56,000 people, mostly indigenous Inuit.
About 80% of Greenland is covered in ice, meaning most people live on the southwest coast around the capital Nuuk.
Greenland's economy is primarily based on fishing and receives large subsidies from the Danish government.
But in recent years there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including the mining of rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. Scientists believe there may also be significant oil and gas reserves here.
These resources may become more available as global warming melts the massive ice sheet covering the island.
Valuable mineral resources have been a key point for Trump in other countries around the world, including in his dealings with Ukraine.
However, the US President said: “We need Greenland for national security, not minerals.”
He also stated that “Greenland is filled with Russian and Chinese ships everywhere.”
Many of Trump's fellow Republican lawmakers agree that U.S. security is at risk from the two countries.
What did Trump say about US control of Greenland?
Trump repeated previous calls for the US to seize Greenland following America's recent military raid on Venezuela, during which its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and taken to New York.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying, “Enough is enough now,” calling the idea of U.S. control a “fantasy.”
But Trump and his allies continued to repeat their threats. The White House said a number of options for acquiring the island were being discussed, including “the use of U.S. military forces.”
One of his top aides, Stephen Miller, said that “no one is going to fight the US over the future of Greenland.”
Around the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers that the American plan was to buy the island rather than invade.
State Department spokesman Rubio added that the emphasis is on building “long-term commercial relationships” and stressed that the United States has “common adversaries” with Denmark and other members of the NATO military alliance.
Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first term as president. But he was told that it was not for sale.
He renewed his interest shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025.
There have also been controversial high-level visits to Greenland. Vice President J.D. Vance visited there in March and gave a speech in which he accused Denmark of failing to invest enough funds to defend the territory.
A new scandal over US intentions erupted at the end of 2025, when Trump appointed a special envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, who openly spoke about incorporating the island into the US.
What did Denmark and other NATO allies say?
Greenland does not have its own independent armed forces and is not a member of NATO, but is part of the alliance through Denmark.
Trump's stance on the island's future shocked Copenhagen, which traditionally maintains close relations with Washington.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would mean the end of the long-standing transatlantic alliance.
She and her British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer, along with the leaders of fellow NATO members France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain, signed a statement saying: “Greenland belongs to its people and only Denmark and Greenland can make decisions on matters affecting their relationship.”
Why does Denmark control Greenland?
Although Greenland is part of the North American continent, it has been under Danish control – almost 3,000 km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.
But US security interests in Greenland also have a long history, and two US administrations before Trump made unsuccessful attempts to acquire them.
Until the mid-20th century, the island was governed as a colony. For much of this time he remained isolated and poor.
After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the United States invaded the island, establishing a military and radio station.
ReutersAfter the war, American troops remained in Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Force Base, has since been operated by the United States.
In 1951, a defense agreement with Denmark gave the United States a significant role in the defense of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.
In 1953, the island became part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.
In 1979, a home rule referendum gave Greenland control over most of the territory's politics, while Denmark retained control of foreign affairs and defense.
There is both a Danish and American military presence in Greenland.
What do Greenlanders think about Trump and his threats?
In response to Trump's threats in early 2026, Greenland's Prime Minister Nielsen said: “No more pressure. No innuendo. No fantasies about annexation.
“We are open for dialogue. We are open for discussion. But this must happen through proper channels and with respect for international law.”
When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase over and over again: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. So, Trump may come, but that’s it.”
The issue took center stage during the territory's general elections that year.
Polls show a majority of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but the vast majority also reject the idea of becoming part of the United States.
When Trump first raised the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, many locals said they opposed the proposal.
“This is a very dangerous idea,” said tour operator Dines Mikaelsen.
“He treats us like a commodity that can be bought,” said Aleka Hammond, Greenland's first female prime minister.
