US President Donald Trump’s long-standing interest in bringing Greenland under American control has entered a new and accelerated phase, according to a senior White House official. Thomas Dans, Trump’s Arctic commissioner, indicated in an interview with USA Today that decisive steps could materialise within weeks or months. The remarks reflect a shift within the administration, treating the matter as an active policy priority with a significantly compressed timeline rather than a speculative concept.
Trump has consistently emphasised Greenland’s critical strategic value to United States national security. The world’s largest island occupies a pivotal position along key Arctic and North Atlantic maritime routes, enabling enhanced monitoring of Russian and Chinese military and economic activities in the region. In addition, Greenland possesses vast reserves of rare earth minerals and other critical resources essential for advanced defence technologies, renewable energy systems, and high-tech industries, further elevating its importance in Washington’s geopolitical calculations.
Although specific measures under consideration remain undisclosed, the White House has deliberately maintained an open array of options. These include intensified economic incentives, targeted financial investments, enhanced diplomatic engagement, and potentially more comprehensive arrangements that could fundamentally alter Greenland’s relationship with Denmark. Trump has previously declined to exclude any possible approach, underscoring the depth of his commitment to securing greater US influence or outright control over the territory.
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The renewed American initiative is poised to heighten diplomatic friction with both Denmark and Greenland’s autonomous government. Danish authorities have repeatedly affirmed that Greenland is not available for purchase and that any decision regarding its future rests solely with the people of Greenland. Leaders in Nuuk have similarly emphasised strong local preference for increased autonomy or full independence from Denmark, while expressing limited support for integration into the United States amid concerns over preserving control of land, resources, and political decision-making.
The timing of Washington’s intensified focus coincides with the Arctic’s emergence as a major arena of international competition, driven by receding ice cover that unlocks new shipping passages and access to previously inaccessible resources. As the United States, Russia, and China expand their regional footprints, Trump’s Greenland strategy is increasingly viewed as a calculated move to reinforce American primacy in this evolving geopolitical landscape. Diplomatic exchanges are expected to intensify in the coming period as the administration pursues tangible progress on its Arctic ambitions.
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