Overview
- Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump said the United States "needs" Greenland for national security and suggested he would return to the issue in "about two months."
- Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, urged Washington to cease what she called threats against an ally and rejected as absurd the idea that the United States should take control of the territory.
- Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, called a U.S.-flag image of the island posted by Katie Miller "disrespectful," reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, and said its future will be decided locally.
- France publicly backed Denmark, with the Foreign Ministry stating that borders cannot be changed by force and noting the U.S. already enjoys broad access to Greenland under existing security arrangements.
- Tensions resurfaced after the December appointment of an envoy tasked with making Greenland part of the United States and grew following the U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, which observers say renewed fears about U.S. intentions.