Donald Trump is considering taking action on Greenland “at high speed” in the coming weeks or months, as revealed by a senior administration official. Thomas Dans, America’s Arctic commissioner and a key supporter of the president’s interest in Greenland, emphasized that Trump is determined to pursue this idea. Dans, who has been actively involved in this matter since 2020, hinted at potential progress soon but acknowledged that any potential acquisition would require more time to finalize.
Speaking to USA TODAY, Dans described the situation as a journey with various stages, indicating that there could be swift advancements towards the ultimate goal. He stressed Trump’s desire to expedite the process. Dans also highlighted the importance of gaining the support of the people of Greenland. While surveys indicate that a majority of Greenland’s residents aspire for eventual independence from Denmark, most are against the idea of Greenland becoming the 51st state of the US. Both Denmark and Greenland officials have reiterated that the island is not up for sale.
Amidst these discussions, a senior official from the Greenland government expressed disbelief at the US contemplating taking over a NATO ally. Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business and mineral resources, urged the Trump administration to heed the concerns of the Arctic island’s populace. Nathanielsen emphasized the anxiety among the people of Greenland, who are deeply troubled by the US administration’s interest in asserting control over the island.
The timing of these deliberations coincides with a significant meeting in Washington involving the foreign ministers of Greenland, Denmark, and top US officials. US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to meet with their counterparts to discuss Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland. This meeting, set to take place at the White House, underscores the heightened tensions between the allies due to the intensified US discourse on the matter.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, confirmed the upcoming meeting in Washington, where discussions on Greenland’s status are expected to take place. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and does not wish to be under US ownership or governance.