U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the “Major, historic investment in rural health” roundtable discussion in the East Room of the White House on January 16, 2026 in Washington, U.S.
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President Donald Trump On Friday, he said he could impose tariffs on countries “if they don’t go along with Greenland.”
“We need Greenland for national security. So I can do it,” Trump said at the White House.
The comments reflect Trump, whose push for US annexation of Greenland has become increasingly aggressive in recent months, becoming one of his favorite tools of foreign power.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for more information on Trump’s remarks.
The Trump administration has previously said it is considering a number of options, including using the US military to invade Danish territory.
Trump believes it is important for America to have Greenland because of national security concerns from China and Russia, even though the US maintains a military base there.
The White House also announced that the US is considering an offer to buy the Arctic island. But Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly insisted that this territory is not for sale and does not want to be absorbed by America.
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