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Recent Developments of Greenland-US Relations

This page examines the ongoing situation between the United States and Greenland by providing a recent historical timeline of important events and a live tracker of recent developments. This page is the product of a joint research project between the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN) and the Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN).

Project Lead: Zachary Zimmermann, Master’s Student at Trent University

Project Members: Lindsay Speirs, Master’s Student at the University of Manitoba; Brandon Varteresian, Undergraduate Student at St. Francis Xavier University; Matthew Trottier, Undergraduate Student at Concordia University

Live Tracker of the US-Greenland Situation

Recent Historical Timeline of US-Greenland Relations

Live Tracker of the US-Greenland Situation

  • April 9th, 2026 – Following a meeting with NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, regarding the war in Iran, President Trump renews his threats against Greenland, stating, “Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run, piece of ice!!!” [Source]
  • April 1st, 2026 – The New York Times reports that the US is actively negotiating to expand its military presence on Greenland with three additional military bases, including two bases previously abandoned by the US. US Northern Command stated that it was examining Narsarsuaq, a town in southern Greenland, which offers a deepwater port, and Kangerlussuaq in southwestern Greenland, which already has a major airport. [Source]
  • March 20th, 2026 – Denmark’s public broadcaster reports that during the peak of tensions over Greenland, the Danish military had developed detailed plans to blow up airfields in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq in the event of a US invasion. According to anonymous Danish officials, Danish soldiers were sent to Greenland with explosives and blood supplies as part of the contingency plan. [Source]
  • February 22nd, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social that he would send a US Navy hospital ship to Greenland to “take care” of people. Greenland’s Prime Minister asked President Trump to speak to him directly instead of having “random outbursts on social media.” [Source]
  • February 14th, 2026 – Canada and Denmark (including representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands) signed a “Canada-Denmark Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding” on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference and amidst President Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland. According to the press release, the MOU “strengthens defence cooperation across several key areas, including defence innovation, materiel and industrial cooperation, mutual logistics support, and personnel, training, exercises and education.” [Source]
  • February 14th, 2026 – At the Munich Security Conference, Danish PM Matte Fredericksen is asked if President Trump is still interested in acquiring Greenland. PM Fredericksen confirms that “unfortunately, the desire is still the same.” [Source]
  • February 13th, 2026 – According to a new poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 72% of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Greenland situation, including 48% of Republicans. [Source]
  • February 11th, 2026 – In a speech to Russian lawmakers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that if the West increased its military footprint on Greenland, Russia would respond with “countermeasures.” Specifically, Lavrov stated that “Of course, in the event of the militarization of Greenland and the creation of military capabilities aimed at Russia, we will take adequate counter-measures, including military-technical ones.” [Source]
  • February 11th, 2026 – NATO launched a new military effort, Arctic Sentry, aimed at improving security in the High North. Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte said that “what is really new about it is that for the first time now we will bring everything we do in the Arctic together under one command.” He said it would help the alliance to “assess which [security] gaps there are which we have to fill.” European allies stated that they hoped Arctic Sentry and ongoing talks between the Trump administration, Denmark, and Greenland would allow NATO to move past tensions over Greenland. [Source]
  • February 9th, 2026 – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Angus King, Co-Chairs of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, led a delegation mission to Greenland to reinforce relations and respect with the Arctic nation. Senator King stated that “our message to the Greenlandic people is respect for their territorial rights and self-determination.” [Source]
  • February 7th, 2026 – Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian ​Motzfeldt comments on ongoing talks with the United States “We are not ​there where we ‌want to be yet. There is going to be a long track, so where we are going ⁠to land ​at the end, ​it’s too early to say,”. Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also stated “We are not out of the crisis, and we do not have a solution yet.” [Source]
  • February 6th, 2026 – A delegation of Canadian officials and Inuit leaders, including the Governor General Mary Simon, opened a Canadian consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand stated that this symbolizes a long-term commitment to “stand together with the people of Greenland and Denmark.” [Source]
  • February 3rd, 2026 – After an interview with Norwegian media at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, Norway, the head of the United States Arctic Research Commission, Tom Dans, is caught on a hot mic saying to Greenlandic politician Aaja Chemnitz that “the check is in the mail.” [Source]
  • February 2nd, 2026 – Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, commenting on the current status of relations with the United States, said that “overall, the message and objective [from the US] are clear: Greenland must be taken over and governed by the US.” [Source]
  • January 29th, 2026 – U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry publishes a guest essay in the New York Times on Greenland. In the essay, Landry asserts the deal “builds on the 1941 and 1951 defence agreements… and would enhance American, NATO and Greenlandic security… [and] expand America’s operational freedom, support new bases and infrastructure, facilitate deployment of advanced missile-defence systems like the Golden Dome and crowd out hostile Chinese and Russian influence. [Source]
  • January 29th, 2026 – High level talks regarding the proposed Greenland framework are welcomed by Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen. He notes that the talks have been done in a “very constructive atmosphere” and “new meetings are planned.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the positive ongoing negotiations, “I think we have in place a process that is going to bring us to a good outcome for everybody.” [Source]
  • January 25th, 2026 – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says in an ABC News interview that the Greenland framework is “not what we had before. It is much more fulsome for the United States,” when asked how the new deal compares to the 1951 U.S.-Greenland Agreement. [Source]
  • January 22nd, 2026 – Greenland’s Prime Minister says in a statement, “nobody else but Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark have the mandate to make deals or agreements about Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark,” and that he is open to discussions regarding minerals and security. Denmark’s Prime Minister says she has had discussions with NATO Secretary General both before and after his meeting with President Trump at the World Economic Forum. [Source]
  • January 22nd, 2026 – Anonymous Western security officials give details of the potential Greenland Framework. The proposed framework would include: an Arctic NATO mission, updating the US-Greenland 1951 Agreement, and putting restrictions on non-NATO states (Russia and China in particular) from obtaining rare-earth mineral rights. The officials stated that such an agreement could be modelled after a “sovereign base area” agreement in Cyprus, where British military bases are regarded as sovereign British territory. [Source]
  • January 22nd, 2026 – Asked about the details of a potential deal involving Greenland, President Trump responds that “It was really a negotiation, but it’s, uh, infinity. The time limit is infinity, meaning there is no time limit… We can do anything we want. We can do military. We can do anything we want. And it’s being negotiated and let’s see what happens.” Asked whether Denmark has agreed to the Greenland deal, President Trump responds, “I think everyone likes it. I mean, we think. I’ll let you know in about two weeks.” [Source]
  • January 21st, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social that he and the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte have reached a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one of the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.” He states he would no longer impose the previously announced tariffs on European states. [Source]
  • January 21st, 2026 –President Trump gives his keynote address in Davos and says the U.S. won’t take Greenland by force, “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.” [Source]
  • January 20th, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social an AI image of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary of State Rubio holding an American flag next to a sign that says “Greenland – U.S. Territory, Est. 2026.” [Source]
  • January 20th, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social a photoshopped image of a U.S. flag covering Cuba, Venezuela, Canada, and Greenland. [Source]
  • January 20th, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social a text message from NATO Secretary General, which says, “Mr. President, dear Donald – what you accomplished in Syria today is incredible. I will use my media engagements in Davos to highlight your work there, in Gaza, and in Ukraine. I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Can’t wait to see you. Yours, Mark.” [Source]
  • January 20th, 2026 – U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry posts on X: “To those questioning the depth of our commitment to defending Greenland, the historical record speaks for itself: compare the hundreds of American lives lost in the sinking of the USAT Dorchester to the single Danish life lost defending Greenland during the Second World War. President @realDonaldTrump is right. America is the only NATO country that is serious about defending Greenland.” [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – Greenland citizens participate in demonstrations in Nuuk, waving the Greenland and Danish flags, with some wearing “Make America Go Away Hats.” [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – Canadian Prime Minister Carney suggests the idea of sending additional Royal Canadian Air Force members to Greenland, adding to the existing number of troops in Greenland partaking in pre-planned exercises. [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – The European Union announces that all member states will meet in Brussels in a week to discuss Greenland developments and tariff threats. French President Macron “will request the activation of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument in the event of new U.S. tariffs,” also known as the “trade bazooka.” [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – NORAD aircraft arrive at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for NORAD activities. NORAD posted on X: “North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) aircraft will soon arrive at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland.  Along with aircraft operating from bases in the continental United States and Canada, they will support various long-planned NORAD activities, building on the enduring defence cooperation between the United States and Canada, as well as the Kingdom of Denmark. This activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark, and all supporting forces operate with the requisite diplomatic clearances.  The Government of Greenland is also informed of planned activities. NORAD routinely conducts sustained, dispersed operations in the defence of North America, through one or all three NORAD regions (Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S.).” [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – Denmark and Greenland float the idea of a NATO surveillance mission on the island to the NATO Secretary General during their scheduled meeting. [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte posts on X that he met with Greenland and Denmark officials to discuss “how important the Arctic – including Greenland – is to our collective security and how Denmark is stepping up investments in key capabilities. We’ll continue to work together as Allies on these important issues.” [Source]
  • January 19th, 2026 – President Trump posts a text message from French President Emmanuel Macron on his Truth Social account, the text reads: “my friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things: 1) I can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon. I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians, and the Russians in the margins. 2) let us have dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back to the U.S.” [Source]
  • January 18th, 2026 – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte posts on X, “spoke with @POTUS regarding the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic. We will continue working on this, and I look forward to seeing him in Davos later this week.” [Source]
  • January 18th, 2026 – Norway’s Prime Minister Støre sends a text message to President Trump proposing a call to de-escalate the ongoing situation. President Trump responds with: “Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America… the World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.” [Source]
  • January 18th, 2026 – President Trump and UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer hold a phone call to discuss looming tariffs. During the call Prime Minister Starmer emphasizes the importance of a secure Arctic as a priority for all NATO states and that it would be “wrong” to impose tariffs on his allies in this scenario. [Source]
  • January 17th, 2026 – President Trump makes a post on Truth Social, highlighting the subsidies the U.S. has provided Denmark and other European Union states, the lack of security Denmark provides to Greenland, the threats China and Russia pose, and how the United States is the only state capable of providing sustained defence to the island. Listing all the states which have sent military personnel to Greenland in previous days, the president imposed a 10% tariff on “any and all goods sent to the United States of America” from those states, noting a further increase to 25% on June 1st, 2026. He concludes the post by saying the U.S. “is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them.” [Source]
  • January 17th, 2026 – Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson states, “I don’t foresee military intervention in Greenland, it’s a small population of people and I think diplomatic channels is the way to go.” [Source]
  • January 16th, 2026 – President Trump threatens to impose tariffs on states that oppose the U.S. acquiring Greenland. When taking questions from the press, the President said, “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security. So, I may do that.” [Source]
  • January 16th, 2026 – Greenland Special Envoy Jeff Landry posts on X, “China and Russia have built more icebreakers in one year than the United States has built in the history of our country. They aren’t just building them for fun. It is vital that America secures Greenland and reinforces the Monroe Doctrine for the future of national security. Luckily for us, we have the ultimate deal maker on our time in President @realDonaldTrump!” The tweet was posted alongside his interview on Fox and Friends. [Source]
  • January 15th, 2026 – Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Finland send military personnel to Greenland for joint reconnaissance exercises with Denmark. A French diplomat notes, “this is the first exercise… we’ll show the U.S. that NATO is present.” [Source]
  • January 14th, 2026 – U.S., Greenland, and Denmark officials meet in Washington DC for diplomatic talks. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are in attendance. The meeting ends with no major breakthroughs to reduce enduring tensions, except for establishing a high-level working group to discuss the ongoing matters. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lokke Rasmussen says the talks were “frank but constructive.” [Source]
  • January 14th, 2026 – President Trump posts on Truth Social, “the United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent – Not even close! They know that, and so do I. NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable.” [Source]
  • January 13th, 2026 – Media talks to Greenland citizens about the forthcoming meeting between U.S. and Greenland representatives. Juno Berthelsen, a member of the Greenland parliament, says that “having a meeting, being able to sit down and seek diplomatic solutions is what we have been seeking since the beginning … we have seen a lot of rhetoric from all sides and what we have been needing is actual diplomatic talks.” [Source]
  • January 13th, 2026 – Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen says during a press conference that “Greenland does not want to be controlled by the U.S. Greenland does not want to be owned by the U.S..” Denmark’s Prime Minister comments, “it has not been easy to stand up to a completely unacceptable pressure from one of our closest allies… but there is a lot to suggest that the hardest part is yet to come.” [Source]
  • January 9th, 2026 – President Trump tells reporters that the United States must “own Greenland…countries have to have ownership, and you defend ownership, you don’t defend leases. And we’ll have to defend Greenland,” and the U.S. “will do it the easy way or the hard way.” The comment was made when discussing the threat that China and Russia pose to the island. [Source]
  • January 8th, 2026 – When asked his message for European leaders regarding Greenland, Vice-President JD Vance states that: “I guess my advice to European leaders and anybody else, would be to take the president of the United States seriously. What has he said about Greenland? Set to the side the crazy overreactions that I’ve seen from the press and from certain people in Europe. What has the President said? Number one, Greenland is really important, not just to America’s missile defense, but to the world’s missile defense. Number two, we know that there are hostile adversaries that have shown a lot of interest in that particular territory, that particular slice of the world.” [Source]
  • January 6th, 2026 – Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden release a joint statement on Greenland. The statement notes the role Arctic and NATO states play in the Arctic region, insisting that states continue to uphold UN Charter principles and international law. The declaration affirms the rights that Denmark and Greenland jointly hold in deciding matters concerning their sovereignty. [Source]
  • January 6th, 2026 – France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark release a joint statement on Greenland. The statement reaffirms the existing priority of Arctic security, working with NATO allies, and upholding UN Charter principles. The statement ends by declaring “Greenland belongs to its people It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.” [Source]
  • January 5th, 2026 – During an interview with CNN, President Trump advisor Stephen Miller gets asked if he can rule out the US using force to acquire Greenland. Miller responds by stating that “Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake. The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so that’s a conversation that we’re going to have as a country. Nobody’s gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.” [Source]
  • January 3rd, 2026 – Shortly after the US military operation in Venezuela, the wife of President Trump advisor Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, posts an image depicting a map of Greenland overlaid with the United States flag, accompanied by the caption “SOON.” [Source]
  • December 23rd, 2025 – Governor Jeff Landry speaks to Fox News on Greenland. He emphasizes the importance of countering Russian military activity around Greenland and Chinese influence on the island. He stresses that Greenland is part of the Western hemisphere, that Greenland would benefit economically and militarily from increased cooperation and the U.S. wants to speak to Greenlanders and discuss their security concerns that they are not receiving from Denmark. Landry says the United States is a “welcoming party” and is not trying to conquer the island, and the U.S. represents “liberty, economic strength, and protection.” [Source]
  • December 22nd, 2025 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen release a joint statement saying they were not informed of Governor Landry’s appointment and emphasize their discontent with U.S. acquisition attempts, stating “we have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.” [Source]
  • December 21st, 2025 – President Trump appoints Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland. Governor Landry posts on X, “Thank you @realDonaldTrump! It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland part of the U.S.” [Source]

Recent Historical Timeline of US-Greenland Relations

United States-Greenland Relations during the First Trump Administration (January 2017 – January 2021)

  • In 2017, Greenland’s prime minister sought out investment from Beijing banks to finance the construction of airports in Greenland, as Denmark was unwilling to put up the funds. Chinese investments in the Arctic, defence-related or not, caused concern in Washington, fearing Chinese entrenchment in the Arctic. Fears over Greenland’s potential inability to pay back loans and prospective Chinese rights over the airports generate an incentive for Denmark to fund the project, thanks to the encouragement of U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. [Source]
  • August 16th, 2019 – The Wall Street Journal breaks the story that President Donald Trump is pondering the idea of acquiring Greenland. It is reported that President Trump shows great interest in the island and has instructed advisors to explore the potential acquisition. [Source]
  • August 16th, 2019 – Shortly after President Trump’s interest in Greenland breaks, Greenland’s official X account posts: “Greenland is rich in valuable resources such as minerals, the purest water and ice, fish stocks, seafood, renewable energy and is a new frontier for adventure tourism. We’re open for business, not for sale.”[Source]
  • August 2019 – After learning about President Trump’s interest in the island, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says “this is an absurd discussion, and of course Kim Kielsen (Premier of Greenland) has made it clear that Greenland is not for sale, and the discussion stops there.” [Source]
  • August 20th, 2019 – President Trump posts on X: “Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting schedule in two weeks for another time….” [Source]
  • October 25th, 2019 – The U.S. sends a delegation to Greenland to converse with Greenland ministers on U.S.-Greenland cooperation regarding augmented integration between the two, infrastructure, education, and research. [Source]
  • April 2020 – The U.S. announces a $12 million economic development aid package to Greenland aimed to bolster “developing energy and natural resources, expanding educational exchange, and boosting Greenland’s fledging tourism industry.” [Source]
  • June 10th, 2020 – U.S. State Department announces the reopening of its consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. In a press statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls the reopening a reflection of “America’s commitment to deepening our cooperation with the people of Greenland and the entire Kingdom of Denmark,” emphasizing the importance of Arctic allies working with one another to ensure productive growth and strength in the region. [Source]

United States-Greenland Relations during the Biden Administration (January 2021 – January 2025)

  • February 2024 – Greenland releases their updated foreign, security, and defence policy entitled Greenland’s Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy 2024-2033 – an Arctic Strategy. A section of the strategy is dedicated to the U.S., no mention is made of previous attempts by the Trump administration to purchase the island. Instead, the strategy emphasizes the longstanding relationship the two hold and the role the United States plays in the island’s security and goals for increased cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, research, and tourism. [Source]
  • June 2024 – U.S. President Biden releases an updated Arctic Strategy. No mention of previous acquisition attempts is made in the document. Greenland is only mentioned in relation to Arctic exercises in the GIUK gap region, its importance in relation to U.S. defence infrastructure located on the island, and in a picture of the radar dome at 23rd Space Operations Squadron Detachment 1 at Pituffik Space Base. [Source]
  • December 25th, 2024 – President-Elect Donald Trump posts on Truth Social, which mentions Greenland, “to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!” [Source]
  • January 13th, 2025 – U.S. representative Andrew Ogles introduces the “Make Greenland Great Again Act” to Congress. The purpose of the bill is to “authorize the President to seek and enter into negotiations with Denmark to acquire Greenland.” The bill remains in the “introduced” phase and was never passed by the House. [Source]

United States-Greenland Relations during the Second Trump Administration (January 2025 – November 2025)

  • January 28th, 2025 – A Verian opinion poll conducted in Greenland finds that 85% of Greenlanders voted “no” when asked: “Do you want Greenland to leave the Danish realm and instead become part of the United States?” 6% said “yes,” 9% said “I don’t know.” When asked about Greenlandic independence from the Kingdom of Denmark, 56% said “yes,” 28% said “no,” and 17% said “I don’t know.” [Source]
  • March 4th, 2025 – In his State of the Union address, President Trump states that “We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it.” [Source]
  • March 13th, 2025 – During a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Trump states the U.S. needs Greenland “for international security, not just security – international – we have a lot of favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful.” [Source]
  • March 28th, 2025 – U.S. Vice President JD Vance visits Greenland with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Vice President Vance says the U.S. administration “respects the self-determination of the people of Greenland but they would be better served under the U.S. security umbrella” with Wright underscoring the economic opportunities the U.S. could bring to Greenland, “I think capital can flow there, which would bring jobs and economic opportunity to Greenland and critical minerals and resources to the United States – a win for both sides” [Source]
  • April 15th, 2025 – Colonel Susannah Meyers, commander of the Pituffik Space Base, is removed from her position shortly after the visit from U.S. Vice President Vance. She stated in an email to U.S personnel at the Pituffik base, “the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base.” A spokesperson from the Pentagon says her removal reflects “actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda [which] will not be tolerated by the Department of Defence.” [Source]
  • May 4th, 2025 – During an interview with NBC News, President Trump is asked if he can rule out the use of force to acquire Greenland. President Trump responds by stating that “I don’t rule it out, I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything.” [Source]
  • June 12th, 2025 – During a U.S. Congressional hearing, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is asked “if the U.S. needs to be prepared to take Greenland and Panama by force,” he responds that the Department of Defence has plans for “any contingency.” [Source]
  • June 20th, 2025 – President Trump directs a shift, moving the combatant command centre Greenland resides under (United States European Command) to United States Northern Command. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson says, “this change reflects President Trump’s focus on Arctic security and will strengthen our ability to defend the U.S. homeland.” [Source]
  • November 2025 – The U.S. releases the 2025 National Security Strategy. Neither Greenland nor Denmark is mentioned directly in the document. However, the strategy outlines a broad reorientation of interests to enforcing the Western Hemisphere and reasserting U.S. influence and power. The “Trump Corollary” is likened to the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which the strategy states is “a common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities, consistent with American security interests.” The Arctic region, while not overtly mentioned, is a key region to defend to ensure the defence of the broader Western hemisphere, as it is the fastest avenue of approach for air-based threats to the United States. [Source]