"Make Greenland Great Again." Revisiting his famous motto in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, president-elect Donald Trump has revived tensions with a longtime U.S. ally, Denmark. Since his first term in office, the Republican has expressed his interest in purchasing this Danish semi-autonomous territory which hosts a large U.S. military base.
On Tuesday, as his son Donald Trump Jr. visited the Arctic island, he reiterated his plans to try to acquire it, mentioning national security reasons. “We need Greenland for national security purposes,” he said, arguing that Denmark should give it up to “protect the free world.”
If the European country refuse to comply, he threatened to impose new tariffs, and did rule out using military to take control of the territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen immediately responded that "Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.”
Icebergs in Disko Bay
Disko Bay is located on the western coast of Greenland. The Ilulissat Icefjord in Disko Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its icebergs are the largest to be found in the Arctic.
Donald Trump Jr. Visits Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland
Greenland’s government said in a statement that Donald Trump Jr.’s was visiting “as a private individual” and not as an official, and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.
Pituffik Space Base
In addition to Pituffik, the United States Space Force base located on the northwest coast of Greenland, the island is home to precious resources such as rare earth minerals, that are today essential for telecommunications and which market is dominated by China, uranium, natural gas and oil.
Icebergs off the coastal town of Ilulissat in western Greenland
The town of Ilulissat is located by the Ilulissat Icefjord.
USCGC Campbell transiting south along the west coast of Greenland
Greenland is also an expanding transit hub through the Arctic. USCGC Campbell transits south along the west coast of Greenland overnight with the Royal Danish navy vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen and rendez-voused in a position just offshore of Evighedsfjorden (Eternity Fjord) On August 7, 2023, .
Entrance to a gold mine in Tasermiut, Greenland
Mining is an important source of resources to Greenland.
Denmark King Frederick X and Queen Mary (right) and Greenlandic head of government Múte Bourup Egede, and his partner, Sara Biilmann Egede (left)
Greenland is the world’s largest island with a population of around 60,000. It was a Danish colony until 1979, when it became self-ruling. It has its own parliament (Naalakkersuisut) but remains under Denmark's control for foreign and defence policy.
According to a 2009 agreement with Denmark, Greenland can declare independence only after a successful referendum. In his New Year’s address, Egede hinted at such a vote, which could be held in tandem with the island’s upcoming parliamentary election in April.
Sleeping polar bear
A polar bear snoozes off the east coast of Greenland.
Russell glacier
Russell Glacier is a glacier in the Qeqqata municipality in central-western Greenland and a very popular touristic attraction.
Inhabitants of Attu in traditional clothes
Attu is located on a smaller island of the same name in the Qeqertalik municipality. Its inhabitats welcomed the royal couple during an official visit in July 2024.
Sun sets on Greenland's capital Nuuk
Nuuk is the capital of and most populous city in Greenland with almost 20,000 inhabitants.
Ilulissat marina
Aerial view of crowded marina in Ilulissat, Greenland.
Jakobshavn Glacier
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image shows the Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland – one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world. It is the first joint picture from ESA and NASA of Greenland Ice Sheet melting. Jakobshavn Glacier drains approximately 6.5% of the Greenland ice sheet and produces around 10% of its icebergs.
Northern lights
Paul Zizka travelled all the way across the Northern Hemisphere to take pictures of Northern lights. Here, he watches them at Tasermiut Fjord in Greenland.