White House Keeps Military Option Open as Europe Rejects Greenland Acquisition
Updated (5 articles)
Administration Frames Greenland as National Security Priority The White House announced that acquiring Greenland is a U.S. national‑security priority and that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option” while a range of diplomatic pathways, including purchase or a Compact of Free Association, are being examined [1][5]. President Trump revived his call for control of the island after the recent U.S. operation in Venezuela, linking the move to deterrence of China and Russia in the Arctic and hinting at a decision within roughly two months [5][4]. Senior officials say the discussion is active, but no price or timeline has been set for a purchase [1][5].
European Allies and Denmark Issue Unified Sovereignty Statement Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark released a joint declaration that “Greenland belongs to its people,” reaffirming Danish sovereignty and NATO membership [2][3][4]. Canada’s prime minister announced a high‑level visit to Greenland in support of Denmark, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. military attack on a NATO ally would halt alliance cooperation [2][3][4]. The coordinated diplomatic rebuke underscores the political cost of any unilateral U.S. action.
U.S. Officials Show Divergent Approaches Within Administration White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has downplayed the need for force, questioning Denmark’s claim but saying a military option is unnecessary [2][4]. In contrast, special envoy Jeff Landry insists on speaking directly with Greenlanders, using “culinary diplomacy” and bypassing Danish officials [2][3]. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly opposed military intervention, highlighting internal disagreement over how aggressively Washington should pursue the goal [4].
Strategic and Resource Value Drives U.S. Interest Greenland hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile‑warning, missile‑defense and space‑surveillance missions, and guards the GIUK Gap used to monitor Russian naval activity [2][3][4]. The island also contains large deposits of rare‑earth minerals and potential offshore oil and gas reserves, making it economically attractive for high‑tech and defense industries [1][5]. These military and resource considerations form the core rationale behind the administration’s push for greater control.
Sources (5 articles)
-
[1]
Newsweek: White House Says Acquiring Greenland a U.S. National Security Priority, Military Option Remains – Details the administration’s active exploration of purchase, compact, or force, cites the Venezuela precedent, and notes strong European and Danish pushback .
-
[2]
WBNS (Columbus, OH): White House Says U.S. Military ‘Always an Option’ as European Leaders and Denmark Reject Trump’s Push for Greenland – Highlights mixed messaging within the White House, Landry’s direct‑to‑Greenland outreach, and the strategic value of the island .
-
[3]
King5 (Seattle, WA): White House Says U.S. Military “Always an Option” on Greenland as European Leaders Reject Takeover – Mirrors WBNS coverage, adds NATO‑cooperation warning from Denmark and expands on the island’s military assets .
-
[4]
AP: White House Says U.S. Military ‘Always an Option’ as Trump Renews Push to Acquire Greenland – Emphasizes the joint European statement, internal U.S. split, and the potential two‑month decision timeline linked to Venezuela .
-
[5]
The Hindu: White House Says Trump Is Pursuing Acquisition of Greenland, and Using U.S. Military Is “Always an Option” – Provides the timeline tied to Venezuela, Denmark’s request for a meeting with Secretary of State Rubio, and focuses on Greenland’s untapped mineral resources .
Timeline
Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. special‑operations forces arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a raid and transport him to New York, providing a recent precedent the Trump administration cites to justify a more assertive posture toward Greenland. [1]
Jan 6, 2026 – President Donald Trump tells senior advisers that acquiring Greenland is a national‑security priority and that a decision could come “in about two months” once the Venezuela situation stabilises, framing the island as essential to deter China and Russia in the Arctic. [3]
Jan 6, 2026 – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declares, “Utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” confirming that force remains on the table as Washington weighs purchase, a compact of free association, or other diplomatic routes. [1]
Jan 6, 2026 – Greenland’s prime minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen and Denmark’s foreign ministry request an urgent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying a ministerial dialogue is needed to clear “certain misunderstandings” about Washington’s intentions; the meeting is not granted, heightening diplomatic tension. [3]
Jan 6, 2026 – Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark issue a joint declaration that “Greenland belongs to its people,” rejecting any U.S. takeover and reaffirming the island’s status as a self‑governing part of the Danish Kingdom and NATO. [2]
Jan 6, 2026 – Senator Ruben Gallego introduces an amendment to block any U.S. military action in Greenland, marking the first formal congressional effort to constrain the administration’s options. [1]
Jan 6, 2026 – Inside the White House, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller argues that “Greenland should be part of the United States,” while special envoy Jeff Landry says he will “speak directly with Greenlanders” and use “culinary diplomacy” to win hearts, illustrating a split between hard‑line territorial claims and softer outreach. [2][4]
Jan 7, 2026 – Karoline Leavitt repeats that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option,” reinforcing the administration’s stance that force remains a viable tool even as other officials downplay its likelihood. [1]
Jan 7, 2026 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warns, “If the United States were to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” indicating that a U.S. assault on Greenland would jeopardise NATO’s collective‑defence guarantees. [4]
Jan 7, 2026 – Canada’s prime minister announces a high‑level visit to Greenland by the governor general and foreign minister, signaling North‑American support for Danish sovereignty and adding pressure on Washington. [2]
Historical context – 1951 – The United States and Denmark sign a defense agreement that establishes the Pituffik Space Base in north‑western Greenland, giving the U.S. a permanent missile‑warning and space‑surveillance outpost that underpins the island’s strategic value today. [5]
Historical context – 2019 – During his first term, President Trump publicly floats the idea of buying Greenland, setting a precedent for the current administration’s renewed push and demonstrating the long‑standing U.S. interest in the territory. [2]