Greenland holds significant importance for U.S. national security, according to U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz, who was appointed as President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser. This statement follows Trump’s recent comments suggesting the U.S. should take control of the mineral-rich Arctic island.
In an interview with Fox News, Waltz was asked about Trump’s interest in U.S. control over Greenland. He emphasized the geopolitical and resource-driven motivations behind the proposal.
“You have Russia trying to dominate the Arctic, with over 60 icebreakers, some of which are nuclear-powered,” Waltz said. “We have only two, and one of them just caught on fire.”
Waltz highlighted that the issue revolves around access to critical minerals, natural resources, and the strategic positioning of the Arctic as the polar ice caps melt. He also pointed out China’s increasing activity in the region, with the country expanding its icebreaker fleet. “This is about oil and gas. It’s about our national security,” he added.
Trump, set to take office on January 20, did not dismiss the possibility of using military or economic measures to acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. In his first term, Trump had suggested that Denmark should sell Greenland, but this proposal was rejected by the Danish government.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte B. Egede has also reiterated that the island is not for sale.
On Wednesday, Greenland’s government acknowledged the evolving security dynamics in the Arctic and expressed its willingness to collaborate with the incoming U.S. administration and other NATO allies to ensure regional security and stability.
As part of NATO through Denmark’s membership, Greenland is strategically important due to its location, which provides the shortest route between Europe and North America. It also plays a crucial role in the U.S. military’s ballistic missile early-warning system.
