On Monday, December 22, President Donald Trump held a press conference defending U.S. interest in Greenland for national security.
Press Conference on Greenland
During the briefing, Trump was asked about U.S. actions toward Greenland. He said the island is needed for national security, has a very small population, and Denmark spends little money on it or provides strong protection.
Trump referenced that Denmark has only called it “Denmark” but has no significant investment or military protection; he claimed the U.S. needed Greenland for strategic reasons.
Historical Context of Greenland
Trump alluded to the island’s history. According to the Danish Institute for International Studies, a Viking raid laid the first settlement, and in 1721 missionary Hans Egede, backed by Denmark–Norway, sought to convert the Inuit—a beginning of colonial rule.
When the Danish–Norwegian monarchy dissolved in 1814, Copenhagen kept Greenland. The island gained extended autonomy in 2009, including self‑determination rights.
The Institute notes Denmark still runs foreign and defence policy there and protects Inuit people.
Why the U.S. Wants Greenland
Trump said the motive is not minerals or oil. He pointed to Greenland holding the world’s second‑largest rare earth metal deposits—38.5 million tonnes, about 25‑30 % of global reserves.
He added that the U.S. has more oil than any other country but needs Greenland for national security, pointing to nearby Russian and Chinese vessels.
Greenland hosts the U.S. Pituffik base and anti‑missile early warning systems, enabling interception of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, satellite monitoring, and other space‑related assets.
U.S. Ambassador to Greenland
The U.S. Ambassador in Copenhagen briefed the press on Greenland policy.
