President Donald Trump said Friday, January 9, 2026, that the United States would “do something” about Greenland “whether they like it or not,” framing the issue as a response to Russia and China and warning of a “hard way” if a deal cannot be reached. The remarks came as European leaders reiterated support for Greenland and Denmark, and as some Republicans cautioned against any use of military force.
President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric about acquiring Greenland on Friday, telling reporters the United States would act “whether they like it or not” and suggesting Washington could pursue an “easy way” through a deal or “the hard way” if negotiations fail.
Speaking during a White House roundtable with oil industry executives focused on Venezuela’s energy sector, Trump argued that U.S. action was necessary to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the Arctic territory.
“Right now, we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland,” Trump said. “I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Earlier in the week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was considering “a range of options” to pursue Greenland and that “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal,” even as European leaders rejected any U.S. takeover talk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said publicly that the possibility of force is part of Trump’s negotiating leverage and that the president prefers purchasing Greenland from Denmark. Rubio is expected to meet Danish officials next week, according to reporting cited by U.S. and international outlets.
Greenland’s government and Denmark have rejected Trump’s approach. Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeld, has said repeated requests for a meeting about U.S. claims involving Greenland had not succeeded.
European leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark issued a joint statement this week defending Greenland’s status, saying: “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
The dispute has also exposed political friction in Washington. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he did not think using military force to take Greenland was appropriate. Sen. John Kennedy called invading Greenland “weapons-grade stupid,” while adding that he did not believe Trump or Rubio planned an invasion.
Trump adviser Stephen Miller, interviewed earlier this week, also dismissed the notion of a military confrontation, saying he did not believe anyone would fight the United States militarily over Greenland’s future.
