President Donald Trump stated the United States needs to "own" Greenland to prevent Russia and China from gaining control of the territory. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said, "Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases. And we'll have to defend Greenland." He added that the U.S. would pursue this objective through either "the easy way" or "the hard way."

Trump's comments follow earlier reports that the White House considered purchasing Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. While the administration has not ruled out annexing the territory by force, both Denmark and Greenland have firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale. Denmark has warned that military action would jeopardize the trans-Atlantic defense alliance.

Greenland's political leaders, including members of the opposition, issued a joint statement expressing their discontent with the U.S.'s approach. "We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," the statement read. "The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people."

The idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland is not new. In 1946, the Truman administration offered Denmark $100 million for the island, an offer that was rejected. Greenland's strategic location has long been of interest to the U.S., particularly for military purposes. During World War II, the U.S. established military bases in Greenland to protect against German aggression. Thule Air Base, located in northern Greenland, remains an important part of the U.S. military's global network.

The current geopolitical landscape, with increasing competition between the U.S., Russia, and China, has renewed interest in Greenland's strategic importance. As Arctic ice melts due to climate change, access to natural resources and shipping routes in the region is becoming more feasible, further intensifying geopolitical competition.

The Danish government has reiterated its position that Greenland's future is for Greenland to decide. The U.S. State Department has not issued any further statements clarifying the administration's intentions. The situation remains tense, with Greenlandic leaders emphasizing their right to self-determination and Denmark warning against any military intervention. The next steps are uncertain, but the issue is likely to remain a point of contention in international relations.