Former US President Donald Trump has reignited his controversial ambition to acquire Greenland, stating the United States will proceed "the easy way" or "the hard way" to secure the strategically important Arctic territory. Speaking at a White House meeting with oil executives, Trump justified his stance by claiming that if the U.S. doesn't take action, Russia or China will seize control of Greenland, and the U.S. does not want them as neighbors. This aggressive rhetoric has provoked strong reactions from Denmark and other European nations. Denmark has emphatically reiterated that Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, is not for sale, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that any military action by the U.S. to take the island would lead to the collapse of NATO, an alliance both the U.S. and Denmark are founding members of. The Trump administration is reportedly exploring various avenues for acquisition, including the possibility of offering direct cash payments, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, to Greenlanders to encourage them to join the United States. Trump emphasized that ownership, rather than existing lease agreements for military presence, is essential for defending territory. Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 residents, possesses rich natural resources, including rare earth minerals. Trump's renewed push follows his initial interest in purchasing the island during his first term in 2019, which was met with widespread derision and outright rejection from Danish and Greenlandic authorities. The current statements, made in January 2026, signify a serious escalation of the issue, raising significant geopolitical concerns regarding Arctic security and international relations.