Why does Trump want Greenland and what could it mean for Nato?

The White House says Donald Trump and his close advisers are discussing options for taking over Greenland, as the US president continues to argue it would benefit his nation's security.

His demands have been rejected by the island's leaders and by Nato member Denmark, which controls Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory.

Greenland - the world's largest island which is not a continent - is located in the Arctic. At around 2.2m sq km (836,330 square miles) it is roughly the size of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Saudi Arabia.

It is also the most sparsely populated global territory, with a population of about 56,000 people, mostly indigenous Inuit people.

Its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.

At the height of the Cold War, the US had plans to station nuclear missiles on the island but abandoned the project over engineering problems and objections by Denmark.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated there by the US since World War Two and currently monitors for missiles.

About 80% of Greenland is covered by ice, meaning most people live on the south-western coast around the capital, Nuuk.

Greenland's economy is mainly based on fishing, and it receives large subsidies from the Danish government.

But in recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including mining for rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.

These resources may become more accessible as global warming leads to the melting of the massive ice sheet that covers the island.

Valuable mineral resources have been a key focus of Trump elsewhere in the world, including in his dealings with Ukraine.

However, the US president has said: "We need Greenland for national security, not minerals."

He has also said that "Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place".

Many of Trump's fellow Republican lawmakers agree that US security is at risk from these two countries.

Trump repeated previous calls for the US to take over Greenland following America's recent military raid on Venezuela, during which its president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized and removed to New York.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded by saying "that's enough now", describing the idea of US control as a "fantasy".

But Trump and his allies went on to reiterate their threats. The White House said a number of options were under discussion to acquire the island, including "utilising the US military".

One of his top aides, Stephen Miller, said "nobody's going to fight the US over the future of Greenland".

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers around the same time that the American plan was to buy rather than invade the island.

A spokesperson for Rubio's state department added that the emphasis was on building "lasting commercial relationships", and stressed that the US had "common adversaries" with Denmark and other members of the Nato military alliance.

Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term. But he was told it was not for sale.

He revived his interest shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025.

There have also been controversial high level visits to Greenland. Vice-President JD Vance travelled there in March and gave a speech accusing Denmark of failing to invest enough to protect the territory.

A fresh row about US intentions was sparked in late 2025 when Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, who has openly spoken about making the island a part of the US.

Greenland does not have its own independent military and is not a member of Nato, but is part of the alliance through Denmark.

Trump's stance on the island's future has shocked Copenhagen, which has traditionally enjoyed close relations with Washington.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any effort to take over Greenland would spell the end of the long-standing transatlantic alliance.

She and her UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer signed a statement alongside the leaders of fellow Nato members France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain which said: "Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations."

Though a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.

But the US security interest in Greenland also dates back a long way, and two American administrations before Trump made failed efforts to acquire it.

The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th Century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and poor.

After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War Two, the US invaded the island, establishing military and radio stations.

After the war, American forces remained in Greenland.

In 1951, a defence agreement with Denmark granted the US a significant role in the defence of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.

In 1953, the island was made part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.

In 1979, a referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defence.

Greenland has a Danish military presence as well as an American one.

In response to Trump's threats at the start of 2026, Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen said: "No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation.

"We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law."

When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in 2025, he heard one phrase again and again: "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can visit but that's it."

The issue took centre stage during the territory's general election that year.

Polling suggests that most Greenlanders back independence from Denmark, but that an overwhelming majority of them also reject the idea of becoming part of the US.

When Trump first raised the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, many locals said they were opposed to the proposal.

"This is a very dangerous idea," said Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator.

"He's treating us like a good he can purchase," said Aleqa Hammond, Greenland's first female prime minister.