Following the US military raid in Venezuela, confusion erupted over US territorial ambitions when Katie Miller, wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, posted an image of Greenland on X with the caption “SOON.”
SOON pic.twitter.com/XU6VmZxph3
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) January 3, 2026
Senior adviser Stephen Miller then told CNN that “obviously Greenland should be part of the US” and claimed that “nobody’s going to fight the US” over its future.
“One Way or the Other, We’re Going to Have Greenland”
During a press conference on January 9, President Donald Trump stated the US will act on Greenland “whether they like it or not,” suggesting he would use the “hard way” (military or economic force) if a purchase cannot be negotiated. He frames the acquisition as a national security necessity to block Russia and China from establishing a presence in the Arctic.
Look, if we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen. If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland. And I am not going to let that happen.
US President Donald Trump
I’d love to make a deal with them. It’s easier. But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.
Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland with the explicit goal of making it part of the US.
China’s expanding Arctic influence fuels US security concerns
China declared itself a “near-Arctic state” in 2018 as part of its bid to expand influence in the region. Beijing also unveiled plans for a “Polar Silk Road,” an extension of its global Belt and Road Initiative aimed at strengthening economic ties with nations worldwide.
The recent US military operation to depose Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela has fueled concerns that the administration is willing to use force to achieve territorial goals.
NATO at risk: Annexation would “mark the end of the Alliance”
Both Greenland and Denmark have firmly rejected the idea, stating “Greenland is not for sale” and that its future will be decided by its own people.
If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and other EU leaders warned that a US takeover of Greenland by force would “mark the end of NATO” as it would constitute an attack by one member on another. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance is developing “next steps” to safeguard Arctic security.
All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security, because we know that with sea lanes opening up there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active.
NATO chief Mark Rutte
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers traveled to Denmark in January 2026 to show unity and distance Congress from the annexation threats. Polls show that 85% of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the US.
Why Greenland matters
The island contains vast untapped mineral wealth, including rare-earth metals critical for high-tech manufacturing and defense, which could reduce reliance on China.
The US already operates the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule) in northern Greenland, a key node for its missile early warning system. As Arctic ice melts, new shipping lanes and resource opportunities are opening, making the region a major arena for competition between global powers.
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