Donald Trump Expresses His Interest in Greenland’s Ownership and Its Personal Significance

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Samuel Corum/Getty; Leon Neal/Getty

Key Takeaways

• During a January 7 interview with The New York Times, President Donald Trump stated that taking “ownership” of Greenland is “psychologically important” to him.
• The prospect of acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, has emerged as a frequent topic within the White House in recent weeks.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s comments by asserting that Denmark supports “peoples’ right to self-determination.”

In a recent interview with The New York Times, President Donald Trump expressed that his desire for full “ownership” of Greenland holds psychological significance for him. This revelation came during a two-hour session with the paper’s journalists, where he was questioned about the U.S. military presence in the territory, which is permissible under an existing Cold War-era agreement. Trump indicated that he would only feel secure about American interests if the U.S. owned the island.

When asked about the importance of ownership, Trump said, “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success,” adding, “I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty.”

In response to questions about the implications of his perspective, White House correspondent Katie Rogers asked if this was “psychologically important to you or to the United States?” Trump clarified, “Psychologically important for me. Now, maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I’ve been right about everything.”

Furthermore, Trump mentioned that he would not rule out using nuclear force if necessary to acquire the Arctic island, though he noted that such actions could disturb NATO relations, given Denmark’s membership in the alliance.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy reacted to Trump’s assertions, stating that if the U.S. were to take control of Greenland, it could signify “the end of NATO,” referencing Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, which stipulates that an armed attack against any NATO member is considered an attack against all members.

The Trump family plane arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 7, 2025, for a scouting trip by Donald Trump Jr.

EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

Since returning to the White House, Trump has often broached the idea of acquiring Greenland, renowned for its abundant oil and mineral resources. On January 9, he emphasized the urgency of U.S. action in Greenland: “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to these comments during a press briefing, criticizing Trump for allegedly using “other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed the increasing tensions via a social media post, underscoring that the United States and Europe must not compromise the idea of freedom. “Denmark is a loyal and strong ally. We believe in international law and in peoples’ right to self-determination,” she argued. Her statements seemed to counter Trump’s remarks about disregarding international law because he claimed not to “need it” since he is “not looking to hurt people.”

In a prior interview published on January 8, Trump described his own morality as the only obstacle to pursuing what he views as world dominance: “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”