A Republican lawmaker from Florida has introduced legislation to annex Greenland and make it the 51st US state, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten action to seize the autonomous Danish territory.
Trump has repeatedly said the United States will take Greenland “one way or the other,” suggesting either a purchase or forceful acquisition, despite strong opposition from Denmark, a NATO ally.
Representative Randy Fine announced his bill on Monday, saying it would empower Trump “to take whatever steps necessary to annex or acquire Greenland.”
The legislation also requires the administration to submit a report to Congress outlining changes to federal law that would allow the Arctic island to become a US state.
“Greenland is not a distant outpost we can afford to ignore — it is a vital national security asset,” Fine said in a statement.
Trump has insisted Greenland must be brought under US control, citing its vast reserves of rare earth minerals and strategic location in the Arctic. He warned that if Washington does not act, “Russia or China will take Greenland.”
His rhetoric has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who argue the proposal undermines US alliances.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any armed US attempt to seize Greenland would spell the end of NATO, the 32-member military alliance.
Meanwhile, NATO and Greenland’s government announced plans to strengthen the island’s defense — a move directly tied to Trump’s concerns about security in the Arctic.
