President Donald Trump has escalated his Arctic ambitions from a real estate proposal to a matter of urgent national security, issuing a stark ultimatum regarding the future of the Danish territory. In a move that signals a dramatic shift in foreign policy, the President declared on Friday that the United States is poised to take control of the strategic island.
In a dramatic shift in foreign policy, the President declared on Friday that the United States is poised to take control of the strategic island, ‘whether they like it or not’. He framed the acquisition not as a desire but as a necessity to prevent rival superpowers from gaining a military foothold in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump Cites ‘Military Encirclement’ to Justify Seizure
🚨 HOLY CRAP. President Trump indicates America WILL take Greenland – it will either be the “easy way” or the “HARD WAY”
“We are GOING to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not!”
“If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way!” 🔥🔥
“If we… pic.twitter.com/PlUxnMpvJm
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 9, 2026
Trump’s rationale for this aggressive stance hinges on what he describes as an active military threat from China and Russia in the region. He cited specific military movements as proof that America’s primary geopolitical adversaries are already targeting the territory.
‘If you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers, and there are Russian submarines all over the place,’ he said.
This observation serves as the foundation for his argument that the island cannot remain neutral or under its current administration. The president insisted that inaction would lead to a total strategic loss for the United States.
‘We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland, and that’s what they’re going to do if we don’t,’ he warned.
‘The Nice Way or the Difficult Way’
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the president’s commentary was his suggestion that American ownership is inevitable, regardless of diplomatic reception. Presenting the scenario as a binary choice, he implied that the United States is ready to use force if a purchase agreement fails.
‘The US will acquire Greenland ‘whether they like it or not,’ Trump asserted.
He then outlined the potential strategies at his disposal. ‘So we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way,’ he added. By warning of a ‘difficult way,’ he appeared to threaten diplomatic or military action if a deal cannot be struck.
Ownership Over Leases
When pressed on why the United States could not simply expand its existing footprint through bases and leases, Trump rejected the concept of temporary presence. He argued that the current American military presence is insufficient for the level of defence required to repel Chinese and Russian advances.
For Trump, the notions of ownership and security are inseparable. ‘When we own it, we defend it,’ he asserted, clearly distinguishing between the role of a tenant and that of a sovereign power.
‘You don’t defend leases the same way; you have to own it,’ he added. This philosophy underscores his belief that to block the perceived encroachment of China and Russia, the map itself must change.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
