After Panama threat, Donald Trump says US control of Greenland necessary

Donald Trump hinted he still wants to buy Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, saying that US ownership and control of the island is an "absolute necessity" for national security.

The US President-elect reopened a debate from 2019, when he offered to buy the world's biggest island, a proposal that was rebuffed by Denmark at the time.

"For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump said on Truth Social Sunday.


Greenland is already crucial to American national defense, being home to a US air base and a radar station. The Ukraine war has dramatically increased the territory's military value to the US and NATO, given the island's strategic location between the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

Trump made the statement on Sunday as he nominated PayPal co-founder Ken Howery for US ambassador to Denmark.

Commenting on Trump's post, Greenland's PM Mute Bourup Egede said that the island is "not for sale and will never be for sale." However, he said Greenland must continue to be open to cooperation and trade directly with other countries.