After US attack on Venezuela, Trump's Greenland ambitions spark renewed alarm
The day after launching an unprecedented attack on Venezuela and abducting the country's leader, U.S. President Donald Trump repeated his wish for Washington to seize control of Greenland.
"We do need Greenland, absolutely," Trump told the Atlantic in an interview on Jan. 4. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One later on Jan. 4, Trump said that "we need Greenland from a national security situation."
"It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump added.
When asked by a reporter what the justification would be, he reiterated that "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that."
The day before, the U.S. carried out a large-scale attack on Venezuela, with the stated goals of effecting regime change and seizing control of the country's oil reserves. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and brought to the U.S., where they have been indicted on narcoterrorism conspiracy and other charges.
The European Union on Jan. 4 urged restraint and respect for international law in Venezuela, emphasizing sovereignty and dialogue while refraining from condemning the United States.
Hours after the armed takeover of the Venezuelan government, right-wing influencer Katie Miller — wife of Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff — posted a map of Greenland on social media. The territory is covered by the American flag and the caption reads: "SOON."
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, prime minister of Greenland, called the image "disrespectful" but said it was not cause "for panic or concern."
"Our country is not for sale, and our future is not decided by social media posts," he said.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member state and traditional U.S. ally. The island is home to both Danish and U.S. military bases as well as vast reserves of mineral wealth.
Trump has publicly floated the idea of a U.S. takeover of Greenland since before his inauguration in January 2025. He has claimed the U.S. needs Greenland for "economic security" and refused to rule out military means of seizing the territory.
The repeated annexation threats have led to tensions with Denmark, including accusations that U.S. citizens were running covert influence campaign in Greenland. The Danish Foreign Ministry in August 2025 summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires in Copenhagen due to the alleged reports.
Denmark also pledged to increase defense spending in the Arctic in response to Trump's worrying rhetoric and threats from Russia. Jesper Moller Sorensen, Danish ambassador to the U.S., issued a "friendly reminder" about the increased commitment and Denmark's strategic partnership with the U.S. after Miller's post.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. U.S. security is also Greenland's and Denmark’s security. ... And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," the ambassador wrote.
Appeals to respect for state sovereignty may hold less weight following Trump's military aggression in Venezuela, however. Trump announced that Washington's foreign policy would be guided by the "Donroe Doctrine," a version of the Monroe Doctrine that centers U.S. economic interests and American dominance over the Western Hemisphere.
Greenland lies in the Western Hemisphere.
