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By Andrew Stanton
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Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned the island needs to be ready for a potential invasion by the United States amid President Donald Trump’s escalated rhetoric about annexing the Danish territory.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. acquiring Greenland is necessary for U.S. security, and the White House earlier this year declined to take the option of using the military to do so off the table. The position has fueled security concerns among Greenlanders and left allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in a difficult position.
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Trump's repeated talk of annexing Greenland has strained U.S. relations with NATO allies. The president has argued that there is legitimate U.S. interest in controlling Greenland to build influence in the increasingly critical Arctic region amid growing Russian and Chinese influence.
The idea lacks support from European partners, and most Americans oppose his position on Greenland. Only 13 percent of Americans support using military force to take Greenland, though 32 percent say they would support purchasing the territory, a poll from YouGov and The Economist conducted from January 23-26 among 1,684 Americans found.
Greenland Prime Minister's Warning: What to Know
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Nielsen told NBC News that Greenland’s government told residents to be ready for any possibility by preparing food, water and warm clothes for at least five days.
“If they do something about our infrastructure, we, of course, need to be ready," he said.
Nielsen said he does not know whether “NATO would give assurances to fight for us against another ally” when asked whether the military has given him assurances that it would be prepared to go against the United States in the event of such an invasion. Article Five of NATO’s doctrine states that an attack against one member state should be treated as an attack against all others.
NATO countries have “mentioned publicly that they are supporting us fully,” he said, adding that NATO defense is a “difficult conversation” that is “hard to answer.”
Greenland citizens “don’t feel safe” and have been “scared” amid Trump’s comments, Nielsen said.
Donald Trump's Latest Greenland Remarks
Trump criticized NATO over Greenland in a Truth Social post last week amid the Iran war. The president has been frustrated with NATO allies that have declined to support the U.S. in its Middle Eastern operations and has not ruled out leaving the military alliance.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote.
In January, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. needs Greenland “for the purpose of National Security,” describing it as “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building.”
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” Trump wrote.
Nielsen has long been critical of Trump’s Greenland rhetoric, writing in January that the island is “not for sale.”
“Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed from the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States,” he said.
What Happens Next
Although Trump has repeatedly teased the possibility of acquiring Greenland, there have been no formal military plans announced to take Greenland.
Kalshi’s prediction market gives Trump a 27 percent chance of buying at least part of Greenland before leaving office. Polymarket showed an 8 percent chance that Trump would acquire Greenland in 2026, as of Wednesday afternoon. Those odds have dropped since January, as the Iran war has become the dominant foreign policy priority for the U.S.
Update 4/15/26 5:35 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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