05.01.2026 14:23
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Greenland is indispensable for national security for the United States. Trump highlighted the strategic location of Greenland, noting that there are numerous ships from Russia and China around the island, and expressed that the U.S. needs Greenland for this reason. He also mentioned that Denmark cannot bear this burden alone. These statements led to comments that the U.S. has entered a tougher and more interventionist period in foreign policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump made striking statements about Greenland just one day after the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was overthrown in an operation conducted by the U.S. military. Trump argued that Greenland is "indispensable for national security" for the U.S., while also sending strong messages to the Cuban government.
Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One while returning to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Highlighting Greenland's strategic location, Trump claimed that there are numerous ships from Russia and China around the island. Stating that the U.S. needs Greenland for this reason, Trump said, "This issue is related to national security. Denmark cannot bear this burden alone."
When asked whether the military intervention in Venezuela is a sign of a similar scenario for Greenland, the U.S. President avoided giving a clear answer, saying, "They will have to assess that themselves. I can't say anything definitive at this time."
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also made statements targeting Cuba. Rubio argued that Cuba has long supported Maduro's regime, stating, "The Cuban government is facing a serious problem. The U.S. has overthrown Maduro, who is a major supporter of the Cuban regime."
The National Security Strategy document announced by the Trump administration last month aims for the U.S. to re-establish strong leadership in the Western Hemisphere. While defending this approach, Trump frequently references the Monroe Doctrine. This doctrine anticipates a tougher and more interventionist stance by the U.S. against foreign powers on the American continent. Trump sometimes humorously refers to this policy as the "Don-roe Doctrine."
The U.S. military operation conducted in the Venezuelan capital Caracas and Trump's statements about Greenland have also caused discomfort in Denmark, to which Greenland belongs. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen clearly stated that Trump has no right to annex Greenland. Frederiksen also reminded that Denmark already provides extensive military access to the U.S., its NATO ally, in Greenland.
Trump's statements have also led to comments that the U.S. has entered a tougher and more interventionist period in foreign policy.