The Trump administration plans to shift Greenland’s oversight from the U.S. European Command to the U.S. Northern Command, several officials say. This change symbolizes viewing Greenland more as part of U.S. homeland defense rather than Europe. The move treats Greenland more like Canada rather than a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Senior Trump officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have encouraged Greenland to separate from Denmark and align more closely with U.S. security.
Vance visited Pituffik Space Base in March and criticized Denmark for underinvesting in Greenland’s population and security. The base plays a critical role in missile detection, and the Pentagon regards Greenland as vital to national security. U.S. European Command covers Europe, Russia, and Greenland, while U.S. Northern Command handles defense of the continental U.S. and Alaska alongside Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas.
President Trump remains interested in acquiring Greenland, seeing it as key to national security.
During Vance’s visit, Trump said, “We have to have Greenland.” Trump is also drawn by Greenland’s rare earth minerals, essential for electronics like smartphones and electric vehicles.
In a March speech to Congress, he promised to “make you rich” and elevate Greenland to unprecedented heights. However, most Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S., according to limited polls.
The island’s roughly 56,000 residents mainly live along the southern coast, while most of Greenland remains ice-covered.
