Trump says US will ‘do something’ on Greenland 'whether they like it or not'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump sharply escalated his rhetoric on Greenland on Friday, warning that the United States would “do something” about the territory, whether Greenlanders approved or not, to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence.

The comments came during a meeting with top US oil executives, where Trump took questions from reporters alongside industry leaders.

"We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not," President Donald Trump said at the White House.

Trump says US will act on Greenland ‘whether they like it or not’

Trump was pressed by reporters during his meeting with executives from Exxon, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, when the conversation turned to Greenland and reports that members of his administration had floated the idea of offering residents large cash payments to encourage joining the US.

One journalist asked how much money Trump was considering offering Greenlanders, reportedly between $10,000 and $100,000 per person. The president cut the question short.

“I’m not talking about money for Greenland yet,” Trump said. “I might talk about that, but 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, and we are not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor. Okay?”

The room grew louder as other reporters tried to get Trump’s attention, but he continued.

‘Easy way or hard way,’ Trump warns

Trump framed the situation as a matter of national security, suggesting that the US had limited options.

“I would like to make a deal the easy way,” he said. “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way.”

The president did not specify what the “hard way” would entail, but his language echoed earlier comments he has made over the years about acquiring Greenland, remarks that have repeatedly unsettled US allies and officials in Denmark, which governs the semi-autonomous territory.

Trump questions Denmark’s claim over Greenland

While insisting he admired Denmark, Trump appeared to dismiss the country’s historical claim over Greenland.

“And by the way, I’m a fan of Denmark. I have to tell you. They have been very nice to me. I’m a big fan,” he said. “But, you know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean that they own the land. Sure, we had a lot of boats go there also.”

Denmark has repeatedly rejected any suggestion that Greenland is for sale, with Greenland’s own leaders stating that the island’s future is for its people to decide.

Russia and China cited as looming threats

Trump returned repeatedly to what he described as growing military activity near Greenland, portraying the Arctic region as a strategic flashpoint.

“But we need that because if you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, Chinese destroyers, and bigger,” he said. “There are Russian submarines all over the place.”

He warned that failing to act would allow US rivals to move in.

“We are not going to have Russia or China occupying Greenland,” Trump said. “That is what they are going to do if we don’t.”

Trump doubles down on US intervention

Trump concluded his remarks with a stark restatement of his position.

“So we will be doing something with Greenland either the nice way or the more difficult way,” he said.