In brief
The White House announced that President Trump is actively discussing options to buy Greenland, despite Denmark stating the territory is not for sale. The discussions surface concerns about military force being an option to acquire the island, which is strategically important for US security. As tensions rise over ownership and rights, European leaders rally behind Denmark, asserting that Greenland's future is for its people and the Danish government to decide.
US President Donald Trump and his officials are 'actively' discussing a potential offer to buy the Danish territory of Greenland, the White House has confirmed.
It is 'something that's currently being actively discussed by the president and his national security team,' White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday.
Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stressed the island was not for sale.
Asked why the Trump administration had previously said it was not ruling out using military force to acquire Greenland, Leavitt replied that all options were always on the table but Trump's 'first option always has been diplomacy.'
Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's unilateral use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro. Denmark, a fellow NATO ally, says an attack on its territory would end the military alliance.
The Trump administration says Greenland is vital to US security. Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.
Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US since World War II.
In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron that are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he will hold talks with Denmark next week. Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.
'The acquisition of Greenland by the United States is not a new idea,' Leavitt said. 'The president has been very open and clear with all of you and with the world, that he views it in the best interest of the United States to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic region, and so that's why his team is currently talking about what a potential purchase would look like.'
Earlier in the day, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Rubio had 'ruled out the possibility of an invasion' of Greenland in a phone call with him.
On Tuesday, European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark, emphasizing that 'Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.' The leaders of France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark collectively supported this statement.
Aaja Chemnitz, one of two MPs in the Danish parliament representing Greenland, described the comments from the Trump administration as 'a clear threat.' However, she expressed skepticism about the likelihood of actual annexation.
Greenlanders have voiced mixed feelings. 'It would be switching from one master to another, from one occupier to another,' said Aleqatsiaq Peary, a local hunter, expressing indifference towards US ownership.
