The U.S. needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future, President Donald Trump said on Friday. Because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour," Trump told reporters at the White House while meeting with oil company executives. And we'll have to defend Greenland. If we don't do it, China or Russia will," Trump said. Leaders in Copenhagen and throughout Europe have reacted with disdain in recent days to comments by Trump and other White House officials asserting their right to Greenland.

Source: The Telegraph January 10, 2026 12:18 UTC