Washington, 07 January (H.S.): The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is actively considering “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including the use of the US military, as part of a broader national security strategy in the Arctic. In a statement released on Tuesday, the administration declared that acquiring Greenland is a “national security priority,” with the possibility of military intervention remaining “an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal”.

Trump’s renewed ambitions follow his recent military intervention in Venezuela, which has heightened concerns among NATO allies about the potential for similar actions in Greenland. European leaders, including those from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark, have issued a unified statement reaffirming that Greenland “belongs to its people” and that only Denmark and Greenland can determine the island’s future.

The statement also emphasized the importance of upholding international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Strategic Importance and Regional Tensions

Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory with a population of around 57,000, is seen as a critical strategic asset due to its location, vast rare earth deposits, and emerging Arctic trade routes. The US already operates a military base on the island, but Trump’s administration argues that Denmark has not invested sufficiently in its defense, making Greenland vulnerable to increasing Russian and Chinese influence.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has dismissed US ambitions as “completely unacceptable” and called for “respectful dialogue” grounded in international law. Opinion polls indicate that while many Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Denmark, there is overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the US.

European and Global Response

The prospect of a US military takeover has sparked alarm among NATO members, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that such an action would “spell the end of NATO.” European leaders have pledged to defend Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that any changes must be achieved collectively through NATO and in accordance with international law.

Trump’s administration has also indicated that the acquisition could be pursued through a Compact of Free Association or outright purchase, but the use of force remains a possibility, according to senior officials.

Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has called for a “respectful dialogue” with the US, urging Washington to acknowledge the island’s status and the wishes of its people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar