Donald Trump wants Greenland from Denmark after Venezuela-Nicolas Maduro victory but there are real challenges. From Europe to NATO -- here is an explainer

U.S. President Donald Trump has a long-standing ambition - taking control of Greenland. He previously cited security threats, presence of Russia and China's ships around Greenland. Trump made ‌renewed threats ‌to take over Greenland, a prospect that alarmed NATO allies ‌and has taken on a new urgency after Trump followed through on threats to topple Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro. Saturday's dead-of-night operation by U.S. forces in Caracas and Trump’s comments on Sunday heightened concerns in Denmark, which has jurisdiction over the vast mineral-rich island of Greenland. Greenland Prime Minister declared "enough is enough", and Denmark's allies in Europe affirmed that the Arctic island's future must be determined by its people.

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?



Greenland's strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a critical site in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system. The ‍island's significant mineral resources also align with Washington's ambition to reduce dependence on Chinese exports.

What has Donald Trump said?


Donald Trump spoke ‌a day after the U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a stunning raid, with Trump stating ‌that Washington intended to oversee governance of the oil-rich Latin American country. The U.S. operation rekindled concerns in Denmark that Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, might face a similar scenario.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, an ambition first voiced in 2019 during ​his first presidency. On Sunday, he told The Atlantic magazine ​in an interview: "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence."

Speaking to ‌reporters aboard ‍Air Force One early on Monday, Trump said he would revisit ‍the topic in a few weeks.

On December 21, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Landry has publicly expressed support for incorporating Greenland into the U.S.

Challenges before Donald Trump


"Threats, pressure, and talk of ‌annexation have no place between friends," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Facebook late on Sunday. "Enough is enough. (...) No more fantasies about annexation."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday that U.S. comments about needing to take over Greenland made "absolutely no sense".

Support for Denmark and Greenland came swiftly from Nordic and Baltic ‍leaders following Trump's ⁠latest remarks.

President Alexander ⁠Stubb of Finland posted on X late on Sunday: "No one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves. Our Nordic friend Denmark and @Statsmin have our full support."

France also expressed solidarity, saying Greenland belonged to the people of Greenland. President Emmanuel Macron said last June during a visit to Greenland's capital, Nuuk, that the island was threatened by "predatory ambition".

The European ⁠Union will continue to ‌uphold ‌the principle ‌of national sovereignty, a European Commission ​spokesperson ​said on ‌Monday, ‍when ‍asked about U.S. President Donald ‌Trumps latest comments to control Greenland, ‍a semi-autonomous Danish ‍territory. U says expects 'partners' to respect 'territorial integrity' after Greenland threat.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ‍said on Monday that ​Greenland belonged to Denmark and that ⁠the NATO alliance could discuss strengthening its protection if necessary.