U.S. Military Action an Option to Acquire Greenland, White House Says

Washington — The White House has described the acquisition of Greenland as a U.S. national security priority, confirming that the use of military force remains among the options under consideration by President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a statement issued Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump has been explicit about the strategic importance of Greenland, particularly in countering rival powers in the Arctic region.

“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it is vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic,” Leavitt said.

She added that the administration is exploring several paths to achieve the objective.

“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” the statement said.

European Allies Push Back

The White House comments prompted swift reactions from major European allies. In a joint statement, leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to defending Greenland’s sovereignty.

“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement said.
“Security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies, by upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”

The leaders stressed that decisions concerning Greenland rest solely with Denmark and Greenland, both of which are part of the NATO alliance.

Other Options on the Table

A senior White House official told NBC News that alternatives to military action include:

• Purchasing Greenland outright from Denmark, or
• Establishing a Compact of Free Association, similar to agreements the U.S. maintains with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

Such agreements typically involve financial aid in exchange for U.S. security access. The United States has also maintained a military presence in Greenland for decades.

Trump Administration’s Position

President Trump and senior aides have repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s strategic location and mineral wealth. Speaking to NBC News on Monday, Trump said he was “very serious” about acquiring the semi-autonomous territory.

Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, told CNN that it is the administration’s formal position that “Greenland should be part of the United States.”

When asked whether military action was ruled out, Miller responded:

“It wouldn’t be military action against Greenland.”

He also questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the territory, despite a 1916 agreement in which the United States recognized Denmark’s authority over Greenland as part of a deal to acquire what is now the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Political Reactions in Washington

The proposal has sparked debate within the U.S. political establishment. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he does not support using military force to acquire Greenland.

“No, I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Johnson said.
“Greenland is viewed by many as strategically important, but I don’t know how this develops from there.”

Johnson also said he could not recall Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing a preference for purchasing Greenland during a classified briefing with lawmakers.

Denmark Issues Warning

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned of serious consequences if the United States were to take military action against a NATO member.

“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” she told Danish broadcaster TV2.

Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland has intensified since his re-election, following earlier remarks suggesting military force could also be used to assert U.S. control over the Panama Canal.

Peter Alexander
Chief White House Correspondent, NBC News