Trump insists US must secure Greenland, warning Denmark cannot stop Russia or China
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump reiterated his push to annex Greenland during an Oval Office event on Wednesday, January 14, arguing that US action was necessary to prevent rival powers from moving into the strategically located territory.
The remarks came despite firm objections from European allies.
In the same appearance, Trump also shifted to South America, revealing that he had spoken earlier in the day with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president.
Trump dismisses Denmark's 'red line'
.@POTUS: "Greenland's very important for national security, including of Denmark, and the problem is, there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland — but there's everything we can do." pic.twitter.com/tEd0qVJ4p3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 14, 2026
The president rejected recent statements from Danish and Greenlandic leaders who said any transfer of sovereignty was a “red line.” Trump told reporters that it was "very important" for the United States to acquire Greenland for national security.
Asked about what specific steps he was considering, Trump declined to outline a plan but signaled persistence.
“Certainly I’m not going to give up options, but it’s very important,” he said. He added that he was scheduled to receive a briefing on talks involving the vice president, the secretary of state, and Danish officials.
Blocking Russia and China's advance
.@POTUS: "We need Greenland for national security... If we don't go in, Russia is gonna go in and China is gonna go in, and there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it — but we can do everything about it." pic.twitter.com/T5EN36olvD
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 14, 2026
Trump framed the proposal as a defensive measure against global competitors. “Greenland is very important for the national security, including of Denmark,” he said.
He warned that without US involvement, the island could face pressure from major powers. “Russia is going to go in, and China’s going to go in, and there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it,” Trump said.
He contrasted that with American capability, adding, “We can do everything about it.”
Hailing Venezuela's new acting leader
Turning to Venezuela, Trump spoke positively about Rodríguez following what he described as a lengthy call earlier in the day. “We just had a great conversation today, and she’s a terrific person,” he said.
Trump suggested that the relationship between Washington and Caracas was stabilizing. “She’s somebody that we’ve worked with very well,” he added. “We had a call, a long call, we discussed a lot of things, and I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela.”
