Donald Trump is flanked by vice president JD Vance (left) and secretary of state Marco Rubio during a press conference at the White House today. Photo: ReutersThe US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future, President Donald Trump says. Trump said the US must acquire Greenland, even though it already has a military presence on the island under a 1951 agreement, because such deals are not enough to guarantee Greenland's defense. Trump and White House officials have been discussing various plans to bring Greenland under US control, including potential use of the US military and lump sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the USLeaders in Copenhagen and throughout Europe have reacted with disdain in recent days to comments by Trump and other White House officials asserting their right to Greenland. Trump added the ongoing discussions with oil companies are aimed at securing commitments.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 10, 2026 13:12 UTC