Denmark announced Wednesday that it is significantly boosting its military presence in and around Greenland as part of expanded NATO exercises, a move that comes as President Donald Trump intensifies his argument that U.S. control of the island is vital to national security.
The Danish Defense Ministry said aircraft, naval vessels, and ground troops are being deployed to Greenland, including forces from NATO allies. According to officials, the units will be tasked with guarding critical infrastructure, supporting local authorities, and preparing for the possible arrival of additional allied troops. The exercises are designed to expand NATO’s footprint in the Arctic and ensure forces are trained to operate effectively in the region’s harsh and unforgiving environment.
Danish officials noted that this is not the first such buildup. The ministry said Denmark strengthened its presence in and around Greenland last summer as well, with support from Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway, underscoring growing concern among European nations about Arctic security.
The timing of the latest deployment coincides with increasingly blunt rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who has argued in recent weeks that the mineral-rich island is essential to U.S. and NATO security. Trump reiterated that position Wednesday on Truth Social, declaring that “anything less than” U.S. control of Greenland is “unacceptable.”
“NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES,” Trump wrote, reinforcing his long-standing view that American leadership is central to the alliance’s strength.
Danish leaders have repeatedly rejected Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, and other NATO allies have also pushed back on the idea. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said Tuesday that Greenlanders would choose Denmark over the United States if given a choice about the island’s future.
Trump responded sharply when asked about Nielsen’s remarks, telling reporters, “That’s their problem. I disagree with them. I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Despite the public sparring, diplomatic engagement is continuing. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to meet Wednesday at the White House with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt.
At the same time, members of Congress are moving to show interest in the issue firsthand. A bipartisan delegation of lawmakers is set to travel to Denmark on Friday, including Sens. Chris Coons, Thom Tillis, Dick Durbin, and Jeanne Shaheen. The House delegation will include Reps. Gregory Meeks, Madeleine Dean, Sara Jacobs, and Sarah McBride. Sen. Lisa Murkowski also confirmed she will join the trip.
As Denmark deepens its military footprint and NATO steps up Arctic exercises, the clash between European leaders and Trump’s America-first vision for Greenland highlights growing tensions over who should control one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
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