US Vice President JD Vance revives Trumps Greenland annexation bid

US Vice President JD Vance has reignited US President Donald Trump’s long-standing ambition to seize Greenland, publicly reiterating the president’s view that US protection of the region requires tangible strategic gains.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, US Vice President J.D. Vance echoed President Donald Trump’s renewed push for greater US control over Greenland, saying: “Very simply, Greenland is very important to the national security of the United States… If we’re going to be challenged to protect this huge landmass, I think it makes sense for the United States to get some benefit out of it.”

.@VP: It’s simple: Greenland is very important to the national security of the United States… If we’re going to be on the hook for protecting this huge landmass, I think it stands to reason that the United States would get some benefit from it. pic.twitter.com/Btwu9bzhzg— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2026

Trump’s Greenland Dream

Trump first suggested the US buy Greenland from Denmark in 2019. He saw this as a wise deal due to the island’s location in the Arctic, its rich natural resources such as minerals, and its value for military defense.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen immediately rejected the idea, calling it “nonsense”, and Greenland leaders also said the region was not for sale. This caused a brief diplomatic spat and led Trump to cancel a planned state visit to Denmark.

US President Trump has revived the proposal since the beginning of his second term in January 2025.

Now Trump describes Greenland as ‘essential’ to US security in a changing world. As the ice in the Arctic melts rapidly due to climate change, new shipping routes are opening in the north of Canada and Russia.

These routes could increase global trade but also allow rival powers to bring their military forces closer to North America. Greenland’s location helps the US track submarines, track missiles over the Arctic, and secure vital sea gaps such as the GIUK line between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

The resurgence is linked to larger U.S. goals, such as countering China in the race for rare earth minerals buried in Greenland’s rocks that are key to technologies such as electric cars and weapons.
It also aims to thwart Russia and China’s growing presence in the Arctic while asserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump’s latest moves have strained ties with European NATO allies such as Denmark, who see this as bullying within the alliance. Talks continue, but they face obstacles regarding sovereignty.
Vance’s latest comment followed high-stakes White House meetings he hosted with Danish and Greenlandic officials in January 2026, where talks on sovereignty stalled despite U.S. pressure for “technical discussions” on the purchase.

It underscores how the United States is paying most of the costs to protect Greenland’s vast swathes of territory, while also seeking stronger defensive control through the Golden Dome missile shield and access to the island’s precious minerals.