NATO Summit 2026: Trump Says Greenland 'Should Be Controlled' by the US, Not Denmark | WATCH

President Trump reiterated his belief that Greenland should be under US control rather than Denmark’s, arguing the territory is critical to national security as China and Russia expand their Arctic presence.

President Trump renewed his push for American control over Greenland on Tuesday, framing the territory as too important to national security to remain under Danish authority, even as he acknowledged the stance could strain ties with NATO allies.

Trump spoke about the issue during a bilateral meeting with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held ahead of the NATO summit taking place in Ankara. He told those in the room that pursuing US control of Greenland would come at a cost. “That would hurt my relationship with NATO,” Trump said.

That didn’t stop him from making his case anyway. Trump argued Denmark has failed to invest properly in Greenland and warned that the island’s location is becoming more critical as both China and Russia increase their footprint in the Arctic region.

Still, according to a report from CNN, officials within his administration have continued to leave the door open to more forceful options, maintaining that Greenland holds major significance for US national security interests.