Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland is a serious strategic consideration, not a jest. Rubio highlighted Greenland’s significance due to emerging Arctic shipping lanes and the potential threat of Chinese expansion in the region. He noted that as Arctic ice melts, valuable shipping routes are becoming more navigable, making Greenland’s location increasingly strategic.
Rubio expressed concerns that China might attempt to establish a presence in Greenland, similar to its activities near the Panama Canal, which could pose security risks to the United States. He also mentioned that Denmark, which currently governs Greenland, may lack the capacity to counter such moves without U.S. assistance.
While specific strategies were not disclosed, Rubio assured that securing U.S. interests in the Arctic and Western Hemisphere remains a priority for the administration.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and that decisions about its future should be made by its people. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also emphasized that any decision regarding Greenland’s status rests with its inhabitants.
The U.S. has a defense agreement with Denmark to protect Greenland if it comes under assault. Rubio noted, “If we’re going to have to defend it, we might as well have more control over it.”
