Trump vows to take over Greenland 'whether they like it or not' in terrifying NATO threat

Donald Trump (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump repeated his interest in acquring Greenland, issuing a new thinly-veiled threat at the territory, the kingdom it is part of and the wider NATO alliance. As he chaired a meeting involving oil and gas industry leaders discussing their possible future work in Venezuela, Mr Trump also discussed other key issues, including the war  in Ukraine and his desire to acquire Greenland. 

He said: "Right now, we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not because if we don't do it Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour. Okay? I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way."

The response came after the US President was asked about the territory and how much money he would offer Denmark for it. Mr Trump said he isn't talking about money "yet", but he "might talk about that".

Recently, it has been reported that the Trump administration is planning to pay $10,000 to $100,000 (£7,450 - £74,500) per person in Greenland if they agree to become a part of the US.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday the option of buying Greenland is being “actively discussed by the president and his national security team.”

Mr Trump has reignited the discussion about acquiring Greenland (Image: Getty)

Mr Trump’s comments about potentially taking control of Greenland have strained relations with Denmark—a fellow NATO member—and unsettled other countries in the alliance.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US attack on Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, would effectively spell the end of NATO.

Other European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer have also pushed back, urging Trump to respect Greenland’s territorial integrity.