Greenland plays a pivotal role in the United States’ national security strategy, according to U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz. Speaking on Wednesday, Waltz, who has been selected as President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser, underscored the Arctic island’s value following Trump’s controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland.
During an interview with Fox News, Waltz was questioned about Trump’s interest in bringing Greenland under U.S. control. The congressman pointed to the island’s wealth of critical minerals and its strategic location in the Arctic as key factors. “Russia is aggressively pursuing dominance in the Arctic with over 60 icebreakers, some of which are nuclear-powered,” Waltz noted. “In comparison, the United States has just two operational icebreakers, one of which recently caught fire.”
He further explained that the Arctic’s changing landscape, due to receding polar ice caps, is attracting increased activity from other global powers. “This isn’t just about minerals,” Waltz said. “It’s about oil, gas, and national security. China is rapidly expanding its fleet of icebreakers and asserting influence in the region. The Arctic is becoming a hotspot for competition, and Greenland is at the center of it.”
President-elect Trump, who will assume office on January 20, has not ruled out using military or economic means to acquire the island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. This echoes his earlier proposal during his first term, when he suggested Denmark sell Greenland to the United States—a notion that was swiftly rejected by the Danish government.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte B. Egede, reaffirmed on Wednesday that the island is not for sale. However, the Greenlandic government acknowledged the evolving security dynamics in the Arctic and expressed willingness to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration and NATO allies to maintain regional stability.
The island’s strategic importance to the United States is undeniable. As a member of NATO through its ties to Denmark, Greenland hosts key U.S. military assets, including a ballistic missile early-warning system. Its geographic position provides the shortest route between Europe and North America, further enhancing its value for transatlantic defense strategies.