In the latest escalation of tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed push to acquire Greenland, Vice President JD Vance urged European leaders on Thursday to take the claims seriously for national security reasons. This follows a January 6 joint statement from multiple European nations backing Denmark and Greenland's self-determination.
The Trump administration's interest in Greenland has intensified since early January 2026, when President Trump reiterated the island's strategic importance amid Arctic rivalries.
On Thursday, January 8, U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned European heads of state at a White House press conference: "My advice to the European heads of state and government and everyone else would be to take the President of the United States seriously." Trump had reaffirmed his position last Sunday, stating, "We need Greenland for national security reasons," and adding, "Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a meeting on Greenland for next week, though details remain undisclosed.
This comes after a joint statement on Tuesday, January 6, from leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, reaffirming that Greenland's future is for its people and Denmark to decide. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) supported Denmark, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke directly with Trump on Wednesday, reiterating London's stance.
Tensions are heightened by recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, where forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, raising fears Trump might pursue aggressive moves on the resource-rich island. European allies stress that only Greenlanders and Denmark hold sovereignty rights.
Historically, a 1946 U.S. offer by President Harry Truman to buy Greenland for $100 million in gold was rejected. Today, estimates range from $12.5-77 billion or over $1 trillion including resources. Polls show strong Greenlandic opposition to U.S. annexation. The U.S. maintains Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 defense agreement.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has called for cooperation but rejected seizure, echoing Frederiksen's NATO warnings.
