The U.S. government's interest in Greenland has intensified under President Donald Trump, who has suggested that the United States should acquire the territory rather than lease it. Trump argues that Greenland's lack of defenses makes it vulnerable to threats from Russia and China, emphasizing its strategic importance for U.S. and NATO security. He has claimed that if the U.S. does not act, adversarial nations may take control of the territory, which he describes as crucial for national security.

Denmark, which administers Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory, has expressed a "fundamental disagreement" with Trump's views. Danish officials, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, have emphasized that U.S. acquisition is "absolutely not necessary" and that the future of Greenland should be determined by its own people. Rasmussen noted that Denmark is enhancing its military presence in Greenland, in collaboration with NATO allies, to address security concerns while respecting Danish sovereignty.

Greenland's leadership has consistently rejected the notion of U.S. acquisition, with Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stating that his constituents prefer to remain part of Denmark rather than align with the U.S. This sentiment is echoed by a recent Quinnipiac University poll, which found that 86 percent of Americans oppose using military force to acquire Greenland, and 55 percent oppose attempts to purchase it.

Concerns about potential military action have also emerged within the U.S. Congress. Republican lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Representative Don Bacon, have voiced strong opposition to any military invasion of Greenland, warning that such actions could severely damage U.S. relations with NATO allies and lead to significant political consequences for Trump. They emphasize the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations and resolving issues through negotiation rather than threats.

Despite Trump's assertions of the necessity of U.S. control over Greenland, experts caution that military action would violate international law and could harm U.S.-European alliances. The complexities surrounding Greenland's status, including its sparse population and the historical context of U.S. interest in the territory, underscore the delicate balance of international relations and the potential ramifications of militaristic approaches in addressing geopolitical interests.