'Trump Increases Pressure on Greenland: "We have to have it"'
His remarks coincide with the plans of senior U.S. officials to undertake a contentious visit to Greenland, which Danish authorities interpret as an element of a heightened pressure tactic.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump is intensifying his focus on Greenland, as Vice President JD Vance prepares for an unexpected last-minute visit later this week.
America has “to let them know that we need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it,” Trump stated in an interview with radio host Vince Coglianese on Wednesday. He emphasized the strategic importance of the island, saying, “It’s [an] island from a defensive posture and even offensive posture is something we need. … When you look at the ships going up their shore by the hundreds, it’s a busy place.”
Trump has proposed the idea of acquiring Greenland since his first term but has focused on it more intently during his second administration. Acquiring the autonomous Danish territory would provide the United States with control over strategic shipping routes and access to untapped rare earth minerals and energy resources, potentially reshaping global trade.
In his conversation with Coglianese, Trump expressed uncertainty about whether the people of Greenland were prepared to become U.S. citizens, stating, “but I think we have to do it and convince them, and we have to have the land because it’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth — not just the U. S. — without it. So we have to have it, and I think we will have it.”
This declaration coincides with plans by senior officials from the Trump administration to visit Greenland. The second lady, Usha Vance, and other senior officials had originally scheduled a trip to attend the island's dog-sled race. However, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concerns, stating that this visit placed “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland to relinquish its territory to the U.S.
Frederiksen remarked on Monday, “This is clearly not a visit that is about what Greenland needs or wants. It is unacceptable pressure being put on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it’s a pressure we will stand against.”
On Tuesday, the vice president announced his intention to join the trip, opting to visit a military base instead of attending the race, thus becoming the highest-ranking U.S. official to make the visit.
Danish officials cautiously welcomed the revised itinerary, even though Vance's presence significantly elevates the trip's importance. “I think it’s a much wiser decision to visit the military installation than to interfere in what is happening in Greenlandic politics — in a situation where no government has been formed,” stated Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
America has “to let them know that we need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it,” Trump stated in an interview with radio host Vince Coglianese on Wednesday. He emphasized the strategic importance of the island, saying, “It’s [an] island from a defensive posture and even offensive posture is something we need. … When you look at the ships going up their shore by the hundreds, it’s a busy place.”
Trump has proposed the idea of acquiring Greenland since his first term but has focused on it more intently during his second administration. Acquiring the autonomous Danish territory would provide the United States with control over strategic shipping routes and access to untapped rare earth minerals and energy resources, potentially reshaping global trade.
In his conversation with Coglianese, Trump expressed uncertainty about whether the people of Greenland were prepared to become U.S. citizens, stating, “but I think we have to do it and convince them, and we have to have the land because it’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth — not just the U. S. — without it. So we have to have it, and I think we will have it.”
This declaration coincides with plans by senior officials from the Trump administration to visit Greenland. The second lady, Usha Vance, and other senior officials had originally scheduled a trip to attend the island's dog-sled race. However, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concerns, stating that this visit placed “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland to relinquish its territory to the U.S.
Frederiksen remarked on Monday, “This is clearly not a visit that is about what Greenland needs or wants. It is unacceptable pressure being put on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it’s a pressure we will stand against.”
On Tuesday, the vice president announced his intention to join the trip, opting to visit a military base instead of attending the race, thus becoming the highest-ranking U.S. official to make the visit.
Danish officials cautiously welcomed the revised itinerary, even though Vance's presence significantly elevates the trip's importance. “I think it’s a much wiser decision to visit the military installation than to interfere in what is happening in Greenlandic politics — in a situation where no government has been formed,” stated Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
