A timeline of US President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, tell me about this news in (https://apnews.com/article/trump-greenland-denmark-timeline-b32ca9f63dd31333c1d6e64fb3d6403e)
22-09-2026
The Associated Press report outlines the chronological events surrounding Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring or controlling Greenland, spanning from his first presidential term into 2026:
August 2019: Initial Interest and Diplomatic RiftDuring his first term, Trump publicly floated the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected the proposal as “absurd,” emphasizing that Greenland was not for sale. In response, Trump called her remarks “nasty” and abruptly canceled an upcoming state visit to Copenhagen.
December 2024 – Early 2025: Renewed AmbitionsFollowing his re-election, Trump renewed calls for the United States to take control of Greenland. He framed the initiative primarily around national defense and Arctic security, arguing that Denmark could not sufficiently protect the strategically vital territory from Russian and Chinese influence. During this period, he hinted at the potential use of tariffs or other measures if cooperation was not reached.
December 2025 – Early January 2026: Escalation and TariffsTrump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland and reiterated that the U.S. intended to act on Greenland. By mid-January 2026, tensions escalated into a major diplomatic crisis when Trump threatened 25% import tariffs on goods from Denmark and several other European NATO allies unless an agreement was reached regarding Greenland. The move sparked widespread protests in Denmark and Greenland under the banner “Hands off Greenland.”
Late January 2026: Framework for Arctic SecurityOn January 21, 2026, Trump walked back threats of military force and shelved the proposed tariffs following discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum. Both sides agreed to work toward a “framework of a future deal” focused on collective Arctic defense. Technical discussions between representatives from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland formally began on January 28, 2026.
February 2026: The Hospital Ship OfferTrump proposed deploying a U.S. Navy hospital ship to Greenland, claiming residents lacked adequate medical care. Greenlandic authorities promptly declined the offer, stating their healthcare infrastructure was self-sufficient.
July 7, 2026: Renewed Pre-Summit CommentsAhead of a NATO summit, Trump stated that Greenland “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.” Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen responded by reaffirming that Greenland remained off the market and that Denmark stood ready to defend every inch of NATO and Danish territory.
September 18, 2026: Trilateral Security AgreementThe crisis reached a resolution when Trump announced an agreement between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. The pact expands the U.S. military and defense presence in the Arctic region. Danish and Greenlandic leaders expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that the final deal explicitly upholds Danish sovereignty and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination without ceding any territory.