Trump eyes Greenland: What to know about renewed interest and rising tension

Speculation about President Donald Trump’s plans for Greenland is back in the spotlight after the president and those in his circle made some comments about the arctic country in the aftermath of the ouster of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro.

Here’s what to know about the president’s interest in Greenland, and why it’s causing tensions to rise with Europe. 

Trump Greenland comments

The backstory:

President Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland since his first term in office — and his interest hasn’t waned over time. On Sunday, he renewed his calls for an American takeover.

What they're saying:

"It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida. "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it."

Asked during an interview with The Atlantic earlier on Sunday what the U.S.-military action in Venezuela could portend for Greenland, Trump replied: "They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know."

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Stephen Miller Greenland comments

What they're saying:

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States in spite of the Danish prime minister’s warning that a U.S. takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO.

"The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus," Miller said during an interview with CNN Monday afternoon.

Katie Miller’s Greenland post

Dig deeper:

A social media post from a former Trump administration official turned podcaster, Katie Miller, who is married to Stephen Miller, added fuel to the fire. The post shows an illustrated map of Greenland in the colors of the Stars and Stripes accompanied by the caption: "SOON."

Why does Trump want Greenland? 

Big picture view:

Greenland's strategic location above the Arctic Circle makes it a focal point in global security and trade debates. 

Dig deeper:

The island is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO. It is also home to a large U.S. military base.

The land is rich in valuable rare earth minerals, such as uranium, as well as billions of untapped barrels of oil and a vast supply of natural gas. 

And, on a global scale, Greenland will be an increasing focal point through the 21st century, experts say, because of the effect its melting ice will have on sea levels.

Greenland population

By the numbers:

The island, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people.

European support of Greenland

Meanwhile:

Trump’s coveting of Greenland is causing tension with Europe. 

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom have joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenland’s sovereignty in the wake of Trump’s comments. 

The leaders issued a statement Tuesday reaffirming the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island "belongs to its people." 

What they're saying:

Greenland’s own government also opposes U.S. designs on the island, saying the people of Greenland will decide their own future.

PoliticsDonald J. TrumpWorldU.S.