US Lawmakers Push Back as Trump Presses Greenland Annexation

A group of US lawmakers arrived in Greenland this week to lower tensions after high-level talks in Washington failed to change President Donald Trump's mind on annexing the Danish territory. The visit comes as Trump ramps up pressure, with new bills in Congress and threats of military action if Denmark does not hand over control. The lawmakers said they want to calm things down and find a peaceful way forward.

Background

Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for centuries, but it runs its own local government on most matters. The island is the world's largest by area, covered mostly in ice, and sits in a key spot in the Arctic. Melting ice there has opened new shipping routes and made rare earth minerals more reachable, drawing attention from big powers like Russia and China.

The US has long had interests in the area. It runs Thule Air Base there, a major site for missile warning and space tracking. Back in 1946, President Harry Truman offered to buy Greenland from Denmark for $100 million, but Denmark said no. In 2019, during Trump's first term, he floated the idea again, tweeting that the US should own it. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it absurd, saying Greenland is not for sale.

Now, in Trump's second term, the talk has heated up. Trump has said the US needs Greenland for national security to block Russia and China from gaining ground in the Arctic. He has posted on social media that anything less than full control is not enough. Denmark and Greenland have pushed back hard, saying the island belongs to its people, mostly Inuit, who want to stay independent from foreign rule.

Key Details

Last week, Republican Congressman Randy Fine introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act in the House. The bill would give the White House legal power to pursue taking over Greenland and making it the 51st US state. Fine said it is needed to stop adversaries from controlling the Arctic and to secure America's northern border against Russia and China.

Diplomatic Meetings and Threats

On Wednesday, top officials from Greenland and Denmark met for 90 minutes at the White House with Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump posted online just before the meeting: “The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”

Denmark responded by saying it will boost its military presence around Greenland, with planes, ships, and troops, working with NATO allies. Trump has threatened to act anyway. He told the New York Times he does not need international law and might choose between taking Greenland or keeping NATO intact. On January 6, the administration floated military action as an option. Trump ordered the Joint Special Operations Command to plan a possible invasion, though top military leaders resisted, citing violations of law and treaties.

Trump has also dismissed Denmark's claim, saying a boat landing there 500 years ago does not give them ownership. He threatened Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen after Nielsen said his people do not want US rule. On January 12, Trump said, "One way or the other, we are going to have Greenland."

"Greenland is not for sale. You can't buy another people." – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

Greenlandic leaders called it an unacceptable pressure campaign and a geopolitical crisis. They welcomed a NATO mission to protect the island.

US polls show most Americans oppose seizing Greenland by force. A YouGov survey found little support for military action, though Trump hopes to shift views by stressing security needs.

Other Ideas in Play

Behind the scenes, the White House has floated paying each Greenlander between $10,000 and $100,000 to win support. There are talks of a Compact of Free Association, like deals with Pacific islands, where the US handles defense and mail in exchange for base rights and trade perks. Tech billionaires close to Trump, like PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, who is ambassador to Denmark, have pushed ideas for low-regulation 'freedom cities' on the island.

Some Republicans in Congress have floated wild ideas, like renaming it 'Red, White, and Blueland' after US flag colors. Secretary Rubio has told lawmakers the tough talk is just to push Denmark to the table. Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff, said no one would fight the US over Greenland.

European countries weighed in too. Seven nations said Greenland belongs to its people. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered troops to counter Russia. Germany wants a joint NATO Arctic mission. Frederiksen warned a US takeover would end NATO.

What This Means

The push for Greenland highlights growing fights over the Arctic. New paths through the ice cut travel time for ships between Asia and Europe. The area holds vast minerals needed for batteries and tech. Russia has built up military bases there, and China seeks mining deals. US control could lock in advantages for shipping, resources, and defense.

For Denmark, losing Greenland would end centuries of ties and hurt its global standing. Greenland's 56,000 people fear losing self-rule. Many rely on fishing and hunting, and big changes could upend their lives.

In the US, the idea splits opinions. Security experts see value in more bases, but polls show wariness of conflict with allies. Congress could block funding or bills, especially if Democrats push back. Lawmakers on the recent visit stressed talking over force.

Trump's style—deals, pressure, threats—has worked before, but Greenland tests it against a united front from Denmark, Greenland, and parts of NATO. Rubio's diplomacy might lead to leases or joint bases, avoiding invasion talk. Still, Trump's posts and orders keep the pot boiling.

NATO faces strain. Allies want unity against Russia, but Trump's threats raise doubts. A failed bid could weaken US credibility in the Arctic, letting rivals fill the gap. Success, even partial, might embolden more land grabs elsewhere.

The visiting US lawmakers met local leaders to hear concerns and explore economic ties without annexation. They aim to report back and suggest paths like more investment or shared security. For now, the world watches if talk turns to action or fades to quiet deals.