What You Need to Know About Trump's Greenland Plan: The Simple Facts - Part III

Summary

The Trump administration wants to control Greenland, a large Arctic island that belongs to Denmark.

This desire has created serious disagreement with America's oldest friends in Europe. Three-quarters of Americans oppose this plan.

Even European allies who have fought alongside America for decades are now worried about whether they can trust America's leadership. Here is what is happening and why it matters.

What Is Greenland, and Why Does Trump Want It?

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. About 56,500 people live there. It is one of the largest islands in the world, covered mostly in ice. Trump says America needs to control Greenland for national security. He mentions a missile defense system called Golden Dome that would protect America from attack. He says Greenland's location in the far north is perfect for this system.

Think of Greenland like an early warning system. If enemies tried to shoot missiles at America from across the Arctic, Greenland would be the first place to detect them. Trump believes America must own this location to control how these missiles are stopped.

What Did Denmark and Greenland Say?

On January 15, 2026, Danish and Greenlandic leaders met with Trump's team. Both sides disagreed about the main question.

Denmark and Greenland said they would allow more American soldiers and military equipment. They said America could build bigger bases and train together. They said America could use their territory more than ever before. But they said one thing that would not change: Greenland would stay part of Denmark. They would not give control to America.

Greenland's foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, was direct. She said, "We have shown where our limits are. That path does not include ownership." This means Greenland was willing to give America many things, but not ownership.

Why Do People Oppose This Plan?

A poll asked 1,209 Americans what they think. Here is what they said: 75 percent oppose the plan. Only 25 percent support it. When you break it down by party, the picture is interesting. Half of Republicans support it, and half oppose it. But 94 percent of Democrats oppose it.

This shows Americans across the political spectrum do not like this idea.

People oppose this plan for following four reasons?

First, it violates the idea that countries should respect each other's territory.

Second, it might damage America's friendships with European countries that have helped America for many decades.

Third, it seems dishonest and pushy to try to take territory from an allied nation.

Fourth, most Americans believe this money could be spent better on problems at home.

What Are America's Friends Saying?

America's European allies are very concerned. They sent soldiers to Greenland not to attack, but to show they support Denmark and Greenland. Germany sent 13 soldiers. France sent 15 soldiers.

Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands sent military personnel too. This was not an accident.

These countries deliberately deployed soldiers to say: "We will not abandon our friend Denmark."

Even Republican Senator Mitch McConnell criticized this plan. McCollell said that acquiring Greenland would "incinerate" the trust between America and Europe. He explained that Denmark has fought with America in wars. He noted that Europe has recently spent billions of dollars on defense.

McCollell asked why America would destroy this friendship by trying to take Greenland when Denmark has already offered to expand American military cooperation.

What About the Missiles and Defense?

Trump is right that Arctic security matters.

Russia and China are becoming more active in the Arctic. America does need to think carefully about Arctic defense.

The good news is that America already has military bases in Greenland. America already uses equipment there for defense. Denmark said America could expand these activities.

So America can accomplish most of what it needs to do without taking over the entire territory.

This is like a neighbor who agrees to let you install security cameras on his property.

Trump wants to own the whole house instead of just having the cameras. But the cameras accomplish what you actually need.

Will This Plan Happen?

It seems unlikely that Trump will get Congress to approve taking Greenland.

75 % percent of Americans oppose it, and Congress needs to approve something this big. Europe would strongly object. Denmark would never agree. Greenland's people do not want this.

However, this dispute has already damaged America's friendships in Europe. People there are wondering if they can still trust America. They worry that America might use force against them someday.

This damage to trust might last for years, even if Trump does not actually take Greenland. That is the real problem with this plan: even if it fails, it has already hurt America's most important relationships in the world.