US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed on Thursday that former President Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland was a serious strategic consideration, not a mere jest.
He emphasized that acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory aligns with US national interests, particularly concerning Arctic security and global shipping routes.
Speaking on The Megyn Kelly Show, Rubio reiterated that Trump was resolute in his interest in Greenland. He further noted that the former president had not ruled out military coercion as a means to acquire the island, though specific plans had not been disclosed.
“This is not a joke,” Rubio stated. “It’s not about acquiring land for the sake of expansion. This is about national security and ensuring our strategic interests in the Arctic region.”
US Strategic Interests in the Arctic
Rubio underscored the Arctic’s growing significance as a major shipping route that the US must protect. He also warned of China’s increasing ambitions in the region, expressing concerns that Beijing could attempt to establish a stronger presence there.
“Securing our interests in the Arctic is imperative,” Rubio said. “We may not have a concrete timeline yet, but what’s certain is that in four years, our position in the Arctic will be stronger.”
The US already maintains a permanent military presence in northwestern Greenland, where a ballistic missile early-warning system operates.
Greenland’s Response and European Reactions
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has repeatedly dismissed the idea of selling the island, reinforcing Greenland’s aspiration for greater independence from Denmark. He stated that any decision about Greenland’s future would be made by its people.
A recent poll conducted by Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic publication Sermitsiaq found that 85% of Greenlanders oppose the idea of joining the US.
European Council President Antonio Costa weighed in on the matter, affirming that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is a fundamental issue for the European Union.
Meanwhile, NATO and Denmark have intensified discussions on Arctic security. At a recent meeting, Denmark pledged to increase Arctic defense spending by $2 billion to strengthen its military presence in the region. Photo by Túrelio, Wikimedia commons.