Trump indicated that the U.S. would pursue acquisition through either "the easy way" or "the hard way," though he did not elaborate on what those methods would entail. The White House previously confirmed considering the purchase of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, but stopped short of ruling out annexation by force.

Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the notion of selling the territory. Denmark warned that military action would jeopardize the trans-Atlantic defense alliance.

Greenland's political leaders, including members of the opposition, issued a joint statement Friday night, calling for an end to what they described as the U.S.'s disregard for their country. "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 U.S. has a long history of strategic interest in Greenland, dating back to World War II when it established a military presence there. Thule Air Base in Greenland remains a critical component of the U.S. ballistic missile early warning system. The island's geographic location makes it strategically important for monitoring air and sea traffic in the Arctic region. As climate change melts Arctic ice, Greenland's natural resources become more accessible, further increasing its geopolitical significance.

The concept of national ownership and defense, as articulated by Trump, highlights the ongoing relevance of traditional geopolitical strategies in the 21st century. However, the strong rejection from Greenlandic leaders underscores the importance of self-determination and the need for any future discussions to prioritize the will of the Greenlandic people. The situation remains at an impasse, with the U.S. expressing interest in acquiring Greenland and both Denmark and Greenland firmly opposing the idea.