Trump circles back on Greenland, says Denmark 'doesn't help' it, doesn't need it—US does

President Donald Trump renewed his demand Tuesday that Greenland should come under US control, warning that Washington could reconsider its military presence in Europe if NATO allies continue opposing his push for the Arctic territory.

Speaking after arriving in Ankara, Turkey, for a NATO summit, Trump said Greenland “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,” arguing the island has strategic importance because of its location and nearby foreign military activity.

“And it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships, and that’s not going to happen, the ships, is, it’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Trump said the Greenland dispute had damaged his relationship with NATO, arguing Denmark does not provide enough support for the territory.

“Because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States,” Trump said.

The president also suggested the US could remove its forces from Europe if allies do not support his position.

“We could remove all of our soldiers out of Europe,” Trump said. “Because as you probably noticed, Europe’s a very different place than it was 20 years ago.”

Trump also warned European countries about immigration and energy policies, saying, “they better be careful” with those issues.

Trump previously declined to rule out using military force to take control of Greenland, though he later said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had established a “framework of a future deal” regarding the territory.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb responded to Trump’s comments by emphasizing Arctic cooperation among NATO members.

“Be more Arctic, be more cool. If it is about Arctic security, we have seven countries that are Arctic nations in the alliance,” Stubb told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick.

He added: “Finland has trained one million soldiers in Arctic conditions; we basically live in Arctic conditions. Let’s keep that in mind. Let’s, you know, continue the process that the Danes, the Americans and the Greenlanders have.”