Donald Trump says US control of Greenland 'vital' for air defense system

US President Donald Trump

• Trump says US needs Greenland for national security and missile defense
• Warns Russia or China could seek control if US does not act
• France and EU back Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stated that the United States needs Greenland for its national security interests, warning that Russia or China could otherwise attempt to gain control of the strategically located Arctic territory.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump linked Greenland’s importance to America’s defence infrastructure, including the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system.

“The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building,” Trump wrote, adding that NATO should take the lead in ensuring Greenland comes under US control.

Donald Trump warned of geopolitical consequences if Washington does not act. “IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” he said.

Highlighting America’s military role within NATO, Trump claimed the alliance would be significantly weaker without US power. “Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent — Not even close!” he wrote.

He further asserted that NATO’s strength would increase if Greenland were controlled by the United States. “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that if the United States seized Greenland from Denmark, it would trigger a wave of "unprecedented" consequences, a government spokeswoman said.

"If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented," spokeswoman Maud Bregeon reported Macron as telling a cabinet meeting.

"France is closely monitoring the situation and will act in full solidarity with Denmark and its sovereignty."

Also, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Greenland, saying the Arctic island which US President Donald Trump has vowed to seize "belongs to its people".

"For me it's important that the Greenlanders know and they know this by the deeds, not only by the words, that we respect the wishes of the Greenlanders and their interests and that they can count on us," she told a press conference in Brussels.

The Danish and Greenland foreign ministers will meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House later on Wednesday following weeks of Trump's threats.