Former US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to move "at high speed" on Greenland, with a senior American official suggesting action could be taken in a matter of weeks.
Official Warns of Swift Timeline
According to a claim made on 13 January 2026, America's Arctic commissioner, Thomas Dans, stated that Trump wants to annex the vast, autonomous Danish territory quickly. Dans indicated the timeline for any potential move is now measured in "weeks or months," signalling a dramatically accelerated pace.
The revelation has sparked immediate concern among Greenland's residents, who now face the unsettling prospect of their homeland becoming a sudden geopolitical priority for the United States. The strategy appears to be driven by Trump's long-standing interest in the island's strategic and resource value.
Strategic Interests and Local Anxieties
Greenland, the world's largest island, holds significant mineral resources and occupies a crucial strategic position in the Arctic. Control or influence over the territory would grant the US enhanced access to emerging Arctic shipping routes and bolster its military posture in the region.
However, this potential annexation push is not being welcomed locally. The people of Greenland, who have self-rule but whose defence and foreign policy are managed by Denmark, are now grappling with the possibility of an abrupt change in their sovereignty. The notion of being absorbed by a foreign power without their consent is a primary source of anxiety.
Implications for Arctic Diplomacy
Such a bold move by a future Trump administration would undoubtedly trigger a major international crisis. It would severely strain relations with Denmark, a longstanding NATO ally, and could destabilise the delicate diplomatic balance in the Arctic region. Other nations with Arctic interests, including Russia and Canada, would be forced to reassess their own strategies in response to an American land grab.
The report underscores the unpredictable nature of Trump's foreign policy approach, where longstanding alliances can be secondary to perceived strategic or economic gains. For now, the people of Greenland are left in a state of limbo, awaiting clarity on whether the former president's ambitions will materialise into concrete action in the coming weeks.
