Why does Trump want Greenland? He says we'll 'worry about' it in 2 months
The dramatic escalation in Venezuela has put extra attention on President Donald Trump 's desire to annex Greenland.
On Jan. 3, U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a surprise attack , after months of mounting U.S. pressure on the oil-rich country . Trump has long expressed interest in the U.S. controlling Greenland, dating back to his first term when he floated buying the Arctic island.
Asked about Greenland on Air Force One on Jan. 4, he tried to push off discussing plans for action, but reiterated past statements about needing the country for "national security."
"Well, I don't want to talk about Greenland. Let's talk about Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine," Trump said. "We'll worry about Greenland in about two months. Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days."
More: Trump aide Stephen Miller says US could seize Greenland in interview
Why does Trump want to take Greenland?
"We need Greenland for national security," Trump said Dec. 22 at a press conference. "You look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it."
Trump has repeatedly returned to national security as a reason for wanting Greenland. The island's location could also be strategic for a U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
The island also has critical minerals used in industries where China has a near-monopoly power. Greenland has mineral deposits of key minerals including graphite, copper, nickel, zinc, tungsten and lithium, all used for making modern technology.
However, Greenland currently does little to no mining. Trump also said he is not interested in Greenland for its mineral wealth.
"We have so many sites for minerals, and oil and everything, we have more oil than any other country in the world," Trump said.
What is Greenland's response to Trump's threats?
Greenland and Denmark leaders have rebuked Trump's claims the U.S. will take over Greenland.
"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a joint statement on Dec. 22. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."
The vast majority of Greenlanders reject the idea of becoming part of the U.S., though some favor independence from Denmark.
Is Greenland part of NATO?
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, which is part of NATO.
Several top NATO members, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom, signed a joint statement published Jan. 6 defending the country's right to sovereignty.
"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement read.
What is Greenland's size compared to the US?
Greenland is smaller than the U.S., slightly more than three times the size of Texas, according to the CIA . It has a population of about 57,000 people.
Still, it is the largest island in the world and about 80% covered in ice.
Greenland is located in the Arctic region, northeast of Canada.
Where is Denmark?
Denmark is in Europe between Germany, Sweden and Norway.
Contributing: Michael Loria, Kim Hjelmgaard , Francesca Chambers, Carlie Procell, Dian Zhang, Ramon Padilla, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) , Bluesky and TikTok .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Trump want Greenland so bad? What he has said after Venezuela
