Trump Demands Control of Greenland in Tense Call with Danish PM

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his demand for control of Greenland during a tense 45-minute phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen last week, according to sources familiar with the conversation. The Financial Times reported that Trump became aggressive when Frederiksen insisted the autonomous Arctic territory was not for sale.

Trump reportedly threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Denmark if it refused to relinquish control of Greenland, a strategically significant island with vast untapped mineral resources. Frederiksen offered increased cooperation on military bases and mineral exploitation, but Trump rejected the proposal, demanding full U.S. control.

“It was horrendous,” one source told the Financial Times. “He was very firm. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.” A Danish former official added, “It was a very tough conversation. He threatened specific measures against Denmark such as targeted tariffs.”

The standoff has heightened tensions between the U.S. and its European allies, particularly as Trump has also demanded increased defense spending from NATO members, including Denmark. Since returning to the White House, Trump has revived his interest in acquiring Greenland, which he first floated during his initial presidency. He has called U.S. control of the territory an “absolute necessity” for national and global security.

Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 people, is already the site of a U.S. space base and holds significant deposits of rare earth minerals essential for high-tech manufacturing. The island’s prime minister, Mute Egede, has welcomed American investment in mining and tourism but emphasized that Greenland’s future is “Greenland’s business.”

“We don’t want to be Danes. We don’t want to be Americans. Of course, we want to be Greenlanders,” Egede said earlier this month.

Trump has not ruled out using military force to occupy Greenland, stating at a recent press conference, “People really don’t even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.”

The White House has not commented on the call, while Frederiksen’s office denied the characterization of the conversation by anonymous sources. The Danish prime minister acknowledged Trump’s “big interest” in Greenland but reiterated that it is not for sale.

European officials expressed concern over the escalating situation, with one stating, “The Danes are utterly freaked out by this.” The dispute underscores the growing strain on transatlantic relations as Trump continues to pursue aggressive foreign policy objectives.