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President Donald Trump said Wednesday that NATO cannot effectively deter China and Russia unless the United States takes control of Greenland, calling any alternative “unacceptable.” He directed the message at European leaders who argue that Denmark, a NATO member, must retain control of the strategically important island.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued that NATO’s strength depends overwhelmingly on U.S. military power. He claimed that without the United States, much of whose military capability he said he built during his first term and is now expanding further, the alliance would not be a credible deterrent.
Trump has pushed for U.S. annexation of Greenland for years, repeatedly describing the island as critical to both American and allied security. He framed the issue as a strategic necessity rather than a diplomatic option, emphasizing Greenland’s location and military value.
Renewed attention to Greenland followed Trump’s recent aggressive foreign policy actions, which allies have described as part of a broader “Don-roe Doctrine” in the Western Hemisphere. Trump has tied Greenland directly to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, designed to protect against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats.
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get Greenland,” Trump wrote, warning that if the United States does not act, Russia or China could seek control of the territory. He insisted that such an outcome would be unacceptable for U.S. and NATO security interests.
Greenland and Denmark pushed back strongly against Trump’s remarks. While Greenland governs most of its domestic affairs, Denmark retains control over defense and foreign policy. Greenland’s prime minister said the island would choose Denmark over the United States if forced to decide, while Trump and his allies signaled they have no intention of backing down from the issue.[/read]