The Prime Minister's reaction was triggered by a recent interview with Trump in The Atlantic, where he once again emphasized the need for control over Greenland. “We definitely need Greenland for defensive purposes,” he stated. At the same time, he said, “other countries should decide for themselves how military actions in Venezuela affect the situation with Greenland.”
Trump also described Greenland as a territory under pressure from Russia and China, pointing out that the island is surrounded by ships from these countries. The Atlantic emphasizes that the U.S. president characterized Greenland as “an island surrounded by Russian and Chinese military vessels.”
Frederiksen reminded that Denmark and Greenland are NATO members and are under the protection of the alliance. The existing defense agreement between the U.S. and Denmark provides Washington access to Greenland. Copenhagen is also increasing investments in the security of the Arctic region.
Trump has repeatedly raised the issue of the possibility of Greenland joining the U.S., citing the strategic importance of the island and its natural resources. However, both Danish authorities and Greenland's leadership have consistently rejected these ideas.
While on Saturday American special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Western media speculate that after this operation, Trump may shift focus to other foreign policy issues, including Greenland.
“We absolutely need Greenland,” conveyed Trump's words by journalist Michael Sherer from The Atlantic. He also noted that Trump mentioned the possibility of further U.S. intervention in the affairs of other countries, describing Greenland as “an island surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.”
During the same interview on January 4, Trump also stated that the current head of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, would pay a “high price” if she does not cooperate with the U.S. “It might be more than for Maduro,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also hinted that Cuba could be the next target. “And, of course, for several months, issues concerning Greenland have been actively discussed,” commented experts such as Mariano Aguirre Ernst from the Chatham House think tank on possible actions from Washington.
According to Ernst, Trump believes that Washington should fully control “its” region, which he thinks should be divided between the U.S., China, and Russia. “For Trump, this region stretches from Greenland to Patagonia, and they seek to establish complete control,” he added, clarifying that the U.S. is focused on controlling “resources, especially minerals.”
A recent post by the wife of a Trump advisor sparked negative reactions in Denmark. Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, posted an image on social media X of a map of Greenland decorated in the colors of the U.S. flag, with the caption “Coming Soon” in large letters.
“My country demands unconditional respect for Denmark's territorial integrity,” commented this post by Denmark's ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, adding that Denmark and the U.S. are “close allies and should continue to work together.”
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark located in the Arctic. Since his second presidential term, Trump has repeatedly emphasized interest in the annexation of Greenland to the U.S. for national security reasons. At the end of 2025, the White House appointed a special envoy for Greenland with the aim of working to make the island part of the U.S., to which the authorities of Denmark and Greenland reacted extremely negatively.
