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.

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.

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

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.

Sir Keir Starmer did not threaten tariffs in retaliation, despite Trump branding the PM's deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius an "act of great stupidity" that showed an increased US presence was required in Greenland.