President Donald Trump’s renewed push to bring Greenland under U.S. control is gaining momentum, with senior White House officials suggesting that concrete action could come within “weeks or months.” The assessment comes from Thomas Dans, Trump’s Arctic commissioner, who said the administration is actively exploring ways to advance the president’s long-standing interest in the strategically important island.
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Dans, a key architect of the effort, said Trump wants to move quickly, even if a final outcome takes longer. He described the process as one that could accelerate rapidly under the president’s direction, though he acknowledged that a completed acquisition would likely require extended negotiations and groundwork.
Central to the administration’s approach is winning support from Greenland’s population, which numbers roughly 57,000 people. While polls show many Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Denmark, they largely oppose becoming a U.S. state. Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stated that the island is not for sale, complicating Trump’s preferred path of outright purchase.
Dans said that while progress could occur swiftly from a transactional standpoint, building trust among Greenlanders will take time. He emphasized that U.S. engagement would need to focus on diplomacy, economic incentives, and long-term partnership rather than coercion or force.
The comments come as Vice President JD Vance prepares to host senior Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on January 14. The meeting, requested by Denmark, follows Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States must “have” Greenland to prevent increased Russian or Chinese influence in the Arctic. Vance’s involvement has been interpreted by some officials as a sign that discussions are intensifying.
Beyond a direct purchase, administration officials have discussed alternative options, including offering Greenlanders large individual payments to encourage independence from Denmark, followed by a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Other ideas, such as a long-term lease arrangement, have been floated but recently dismissed by Trump, who has argued that ownership—not leasing—is essential if the U.S. is expected to defend Greenland’s security interests.[/read]