President Donald Trump on July 7, 2026, reiterated his interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. He stated that the island territory should be controlled by the United States and suggested that the U.S. could withdraw its military personnel from Europe due to European nations' resistance to his proposal.
Trump remarked that Greenland is not beneficial to Denmark and emphasized its strategic importance to the U.S., citing concerns about foreign military presence in the region. He claimed that the refusal of European nations to support his stance has negatively impacted his relationship with NATO.
The U.S. president's comments brought renewed attention to Greenland, which has been a topic of discussion since earlier in the year. Greenlandic officials have maintained that the island is not for sale. Following Trump's earlier remarks, a working group involving representatives from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland has been established to explore future arrangements regarding the territory.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has indicated that a resolution may be reached by the end of the year. In response to Trump's comments, Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized the importance of collaboration among Arctic nations and highlighted Finland's experience in Arctic conditions.