China cautioned the United States on Monday against invoking other countries as a justification for pursuing its goals in Greenland, saying Beijing’s activities in the Arctic follow international law and are intended to support peace and stability.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s remarks came after President Donald Trump again pressed the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, a semiautonomous territory within NATO ally Denmark. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Washington must “take Greenland” to prevent Russia or China from gaining control. He added that he would rather “make a deal,” but insisted, “one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.”
The comments have added to already-rising tensions this month between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk, as the White House weighs options — including military force — to secure the sprawling Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover would effectively end NATO. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, along with leaders of four other parties, issued a joint statement Friday saying the island’s future “must be decided by its people” and urging the U.S. to end what they called its “contempt” toward the territory.
China, which described itself as a “near-Arctic state” in 2018, has sought a bigger role in the region through its Belt and Road Initiative and plans for a “Polar Silk Road.” Asked about U.S. claims that Greenland must be taken to block Chinese and Russian control, Mao said China’s Arctic activities are “in accordance with international law” and focused on “peace, stability, and sustainable development,” without outlining specific actions.
“The rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law should be fully respected,” Mao said, without referring to Greenland directly. “The U.S. should not pursue its own interests by using other countries as a pretext.” She added that “the Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community.”
Diplomacy is continuing in parallel. Danish and Greenlandic envoys are expected to hold talks in Washington this week, and U.S. senators are also planning a visit to Denmark as friction grows over the administration’s Arctic strategy.
Why Does Donald Trump Want Greenland?
Trump has argued that bringing Greenland under U.S. control would bolster national security and limit strategic opportunities for rivals such as China and Russia in the Arctic. He has pointed to the island’s location as an advantage for military infrastructure, including expanded radar coverage and missile defense, as well as access to shipping routes expected to become more navigable as polar ice melts. In his framing, Greenland is central to maintaining U.S. influence in a region increasingly tied to global power competition.
Size of Greenland Compared to the United States
Greenland is the world’s largest island, covering about 836,000 square miles—around one-fourth the size of the continental United States. Though its population is just over 56,000, its vast, mostly ice-covered terrain has made it important for both climate research and Arctic geopolitics. Its position between North America and Europe is a key reason it continues to draw attention from Washington and other major powers.
What Resources Does Greenland Have?
Greenland is believed to hold substantial untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, iron ore, and potential oil and gas reserves beneath its ice. Many of these materials are crucial for modern technology and energy systems, increasing the island’s economic appeal. As warming temperatures accelerate ice melt, access to resources—and to emerging Arctic shipping lanes—has intensified international competition for influence in the region.
