President Donald Trump has once again stirred international debate by saying the United States will “go as far as we have to go” to gain control of Greenland — a move that has sparked strong criticism from both Greenland and Denmark.
Trump’s comments come just before Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are set to travel to Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland this Friday. Originally, the trip was planned to include more stops, such as Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, and even a dog sled race, but it has since been scaled back.
Trump: “We Need Greenland for Security”
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump strongly defended his interest in Greenland, calling it essential for both U.S. national security and global stability.
“We need Greenland. And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark,” Trump said. “If we don’t have Greenland, we can’t have great international security.”
He added that the U.S. has to be in Greenland from a security standpoint, suggesting that control of the Arctic island is non-negotiable.
VP Vance Heads to Pituffik Base Amid Tensions
Trump appeared to confirm the trip but offered little detail, saying only:
“I understand JD might be going.”
JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and Energy Secretary Wright, will now only visit Pituffik Space Base, a key military site. The U.S. pulled back from broader visit plans after backlash from local and international leaders.
Greenland and Denmark Push Back
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Bourup Egede, responded firmly to Trump’s ambitions, calling the U.S. visit part of a “very aggressive American pressure” campaign. He urged the international community to speak out against it.
Egede took to social media, writing:
“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. We are not Americans, we are not Danes. We cannot be bought and we cannot be ignored.”
Meanwhile, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen supported the decision to limit the visit, calling it a “wise” move in response to rising tensions.
Trump’s Long-Running Interest in Greenland
Trump has made multiple remarks over the years about the U.S. acquiring Greenland — whether through purchase or other means. In a March speech to Congress, he repeated that the U.S. would get Greenland “one way or the other.”
While the U.S. already maintains a strong military presence at Pituffik Air Base, Trump’s recent statements suggest he wants a much larger role in Greenland’s future, something both Greenlandic and Danish leaders strongly oppose.