Denmark deploys additional troops to Greenland after President Donald Trump claims the island is not secure from Russia or China.

In early 2026, President Donald Trump pushed for a U.S. takeover of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

The trip by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to the Danish territory came amid pressure from President Trump and appeared to have been meant as reassurance to Greenlanders.

Denmark's prime minister said she won't negotiate her nation's sovereignty after President Donald Trump said a "framework" on a Greenland deal was reached.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday offered some biting words about Denmark, which maintains territorial control over Greenland, after the European country’s pension fund announced it would unwind its investment in US government bonds.

Greenland and Denmark have formed a united front to face down US President Donald Trump, momentarily setting aside the troubled history between them. The Arctic island, a Danish colony for three centuries, still has a complicated relationship with Denmark, which now rules it as an autonomous territory.

Here’s what you need to know about Denmark’s history with the vast, potentially mineral- and energy-rich territory.

In Trump’s message, sent Jan. 18, he said, "Why (does Denmark) have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Denmark “irrelevant” on Tuesday amid tensions between the U.S. and the Scandinavian country over Greenland. “Denmark’s investment in U.S. Treasury bonds — like Denmark itself — is irrelevant,

A bipartisan congressional delegation traveled to Denmark to try to deescalate rising tensions. Just as they were finishing, President Trump announced new tariffs on the country until it agrees to his plan of acquiring Greenland.

Germany has withdrawn a small military reconnaissance team from Greenland as President Trump escalates pressure on Denmark over Arctic security.