Trump: U.S. Must Have Greenland for National Security

President Donald Trump has stated that the United States needs to acquire Greenland for reasons of national security. “You have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it,” the president said. The large, autonomous Danish territory is strategically located in the Arctic. This region has become an area of increased military and economic competition. Major powers, including Russia and China, are expanding their activities in the Arctic. The U.S. sees Greenland’s position as vital for monitoring this activity and protecting North American approaches. The U.S. president’s direct statement confirms security concerns are a primary motive behind the interest in Greenland. The island is already home to a critical U.S. Air Force base.