U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the United States should protect Greenland, arguing European countries "project weakness" and that U.S. control would deter Arctic threats, particularly from Russia. The administration has linked Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources to national security and announced tariffs on some European countries tied to the discussions. The proposal sparked protests in Greenland, where demonstrators said the island is "not for sale."
US Treasury Secretary Says Greenland Should Be Part Of The US, Criticizes European Defense As 'Weak'
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized European leaders for projecting "weakness" amid threats in the Arctic.(Getty Images)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the United States should take responsibility for defending Greenland, arguing that European countries "project weakness" and that U.S. control would better deter future threats in the Arctic.
Why the Administration Is Pushing the Issue
Bessent said presidents have considered acquiring Greenland "for over a century," and that the current administration is focused on strategic competition in the Arctic — especially concerns about Russia. He argued that bringing Greenland into the United States would strengthen deterrence and reduce the risk of conflict.
President Donald Trump renewed calls to purchase or annex Greenland over the weekend.
"[D]own the road, this fight for the Arctic is real. We would keep our NATO guarantees. And if there were an attack on Greenland from Russia, from some other area, we would get dragged in," Bessent said. "So better now, peace through strength, make it part of the United States, and there will not be a conflict because the United States right now, we are the hottest country in the world. We are the strongest country in the world. Europeans project weakness. U.S. projects strength."
Negotiating Tactics and Economic Levers
When pressed by host Kristen Welker about whether the proposal is a negotiating tactic to secure enhanced security arrangements without an actual purchase, Bessent said the president believes enhanced protection for Greenland would not be possible unless the island became part of the United States. The administration has also emphasized Greenland's mineral resources as a national-security consideration.
On Saturday, the president announced new tariffs on several European countries, linking those trade measures to ongoing discussions about a potential purchase or security deal involving Greenland.
People wave Greenlandic flags during a mass demonstration opposing President Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland, in Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 17, 2026.
Local and International Reaction
The proposal provoked immediate pushback. Protests in Greenland reportedly erupted the same day, with demonstrators — led by Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, according to reports — shouting that Greenland was "not for sale." Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of roughly 57,000.
What This Means
The debate touches on several overlapping issues: NATO commitments, Arctic security and competition (notably with Russia), control of strategic territory, and access to natural resources. Whether the administration's approach is a serious bid to buy the island, a bargaining strategy to secure stronger defense arrangements, or a mix of both remains a subject of international scrutiny and domestic debate in Denmark and Greenland.
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