President Donald Trump has cited Britain's decision to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a reason why the United States should acquire Greenland, according to comments made as he escalates his campaign to bring the Danish territory under American control.
The connection Trump is making centers on territorial transfers and what he views as shifts in how nations handle control of strategic locations. The Chagos Islands, an Indian Ocean archipelago, remain host to Diego Garcia, a important U.S.-UK military base that the United States continues to lease despite the sovereignty transfer back to Mauritius.
Trump's reference to the Chagos Islands deal comes as he intensifies pressure on Denmark and Greenland to cede the Arctic territory to the United States. The president has refused to rule out military force and has threatened significant economic penalties against Denmark and other NATO allies if they do not cooperate with his acquisition plans.
Background
The Chagos Islands have a complex history involving colonial-era territorial disputes. Britain originally claimed the archipelago and later expelled the native Mauritian population in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the military base. For decades, Mauritius has sought the return of the islands, viewing the British occupation as a colonial holdover that violated international law.
In 2024, the British government reached an agreement with Mauritius to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, marking a significant diplomatic shift. The deal allows the United States and Britain to continue operating the Diego Garcia military facility under a long-term lease arrangement, protecting the strategic interests both nations maintain in the Indian Ocean region.
Trump had previously supported this agreement during discussions about international affairs, viewing it as a reasonable resolution to a longstanding territorial question.
Key Details
Trump's invocation of the Chagos Islands precedent appears designed to establish a framework for how territorial matters can be resolved through negotiation and transfer. By pointing to Britain's willingness to return the islands while maintaining military access, Trump seems to be suggesting a similar arrangement could work with Greenland.
However, the situations differ significantly. While Mauritius had historical claims to the Chagos Islands based on its own colonial experience, Greenland has been under Danish sovereignty for centuries and has developed its own distinct governance structure as a semi-autonomous territory with substantial self-rule.
The Greenland Acquisition Campaign
Trump has made acquiring Greenland a centerpiece of his foreign policy agenda since returning to office in 2025. He argues that Greenland's location in the Arctic, its natural resources, and its strategic military value make it essential to American national security. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated that Trump views Greenland as critical to what he calls the Golden Dome missile shield defense system.
The president has escalated his rhetoric considerably in recent weeks. He has threatened military action as an option, ordered military planning for a potential invasion, and announced plans to impose tariffs on Denmark and other NATO allies starting February 1st. Trump has stated that acquiring Greenland is not negotiable and that the United States will obtain it "one way or the other."
"Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back — on that, everyone agrees!" – President Trump, in a statement made at the World Economic Forum
Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any possibility of transferring sovereignty. In a joint statement on January 13th, the prime ministers of both territories declared that Greenland is "not for sale" and that they are facing an "unacceptable pressure" campaign.
What This Means
Trump's comparison of the Greenland situation to the Chagos Islands suggests he may be exploring diplomatic frameworks that could theoretically lead to a territorial transfer while preserving existing military arrangements. The precedent of the Diego Garcia base remaining under U.S.-UK control after the sovereignty change could theoretically be applied to Greenland, where the United States already maintains military installations.
However, the international response to Trump's Greenland campaign has been far more resistant than any negotiations over the Chagos Islands. NATO allies have warned that military action against Greenland could undermine the alliance, and Denmark has announced plans to increase its military presence in the territory alongside France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden.
The invocation of the Chagos Islands also raises questions about how Trump views international law and territorial sovereignty. While the Chagos Islands transfer occurred through negotiation with Mauritius, Trump has suggested that historical claims or geographic proximity may not be necessary for the United States to assert control over Greenland. He has stated that existing treaty rights are insufficient and that full American ownership is "psychologically needed for success."
Experts remain divided on whether Trump's Greenland campaign represents a serious policy objective or a negotiating tactic. Some former officials have suggested the rhetoric may be designed to pressure Denmark into agreeing to expanded U.S. military access or resource extraction agreements rather than actual territorial acquisition.
The standoff continues as Trump prepares to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he has scheduled meetings with various parties to discuss Greenland. Danish and Greenlandic officials have indicated they remain open to enhancing defense partnerships but have shown no willingness to consider any change in sovereignty or territorial control.
