President Trump Tells NATO Greenland Is Critical to U.S. National Security

President Trump is not backing down on his goal to acquire Greenland.

In fact, he just doubled down, delivering a strong message to NATO on how crucial it is for Greenland to be under the control of the United States.

Without it, President Trump warns that we will have a “big hole” in national security — especially in regards to the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.

Watch what he had to say here:

Backup here, if needed:

.@POTUS: "NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly. If we don't have it, we have a big hole in national security — especially when it comes to what we're doing in terms of the Golden Dome." pic.twitter.com/UFLjTWv7fS

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 16, 2026

Yesterday, foreign ministers from Greenland and Denmark met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Little progress was made, but President Trump wasn’t phased.

Speaking to reporters, he continued to pressure NATO on Greenland.

Time has more:

“Greenland is very important for the national security,” said Trump, doubling down on his argument about the Kingdom of Denmark territory. He went on to say the U.S. “cannot rely on Denmark” to protect Greenland from Russian and Chinese interests and warned that he has many options to explore. “You found that out last week with Venezuela,” said Trump, referencing the operation that resulted in the capture and detainment of the fallen Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said there remains a “fundamental disagreement” between Denmark and the U.S. as to what lies ahead for Greenland. In a display of strength, Denmark announced an expansion of its military presence on and around the island on Wednesday. Several European NATO allies followed suit, with Sweden and Germany among the countries committing to send military personnel to the territory.

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Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday said Greenland’s defence was a “common concern” for all of NATO. Echoing that sentiment, Danish Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, told reporters in Copenhagen that Denmark is planning to have a “larger and more permanent” NATO presence to ensure the island’s security. It’s “crucial to show that security in the Arctic is not only for the Kingdom of Denmark, it is for all of NATO,” said Poulsen.

NATO chief Mark Rutte earlier this week expressed the importance of “the Arctic and Arctic security, because we know that with sea lanes opening up there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active.” Noting the geopolitical significance of the island’s location, he said discussions are ongoing as to how to keep it secure.

But Trump, who has repeatedly aired his grievances with the alliance, argued that anything less than U.S. control of Greenland is “unacceptable” and has insisted that NATO “should be leading the way for [the U.S.] to get it.”

Trump previously floated the idea of leaving NATO over other disputes, and as he refuses to rule out that possibility this time, concerns are mounting over the U.S’ relationship with the alliance.

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