On Thursday, former President Donald Trump voiced confidence that the United States would eventually annex Greenland, even hinting that NATO’s leadership could play a role in making the acquisition possible.
“I think it will happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a discussion with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump further elaborated on the idea, stating that he had not given it much consideration before but saw Rutte as someone who could be instrumental in the process. “And I’m just thinking, I didn’t give it much thought before but I’m sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security,” Trump said, gesturing toward Rutte.
Rutte acknowledged the strategic importance of Greenland and the Arctic region, particularly given the increasing presence of China and Russia. However, he made it clear that the issue of Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland was beyond his scope.
“I don’t want to drag NATO in that,” Rutte stated.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Greenland’s recent parliamentary elections, in which the center-right Demokraatit party emerged victorious. The party advocates for a gradual path toward independence from Denmark.
For months, Trump has been vocal about his interest in the United States acquiring Greenland, which remains a territory of Denmark, a NATO ally. The U.S. already maintains a military base on the island.
Even before assuming office, Trump had refused to rule out military action as a potential means to annex the Arctic territory. Earlier this year, his son, Donald Trump Jr., along with a group of allies, visited Greenland in what was seen as part of the broader push toward acquisition.