Trump Talks Greenland at Governors’ Dinner, Hints Denmark Could Face Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump addressed several topics during the dinner, emphasizing his ambition for the United States to assume control of Greenland.
During a governors’ dinner on Thursday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his intention to take control of Greenland and indicated that Denmark could potentially face tariffs.
Trump, who hosted the event, was accompanied by 22 of the nation’s 27 GOP governors, among them Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.
In remarks to reporters inside, Trump covered a variety of topics but primarily focused on plans for his second administration.
He expressed his intent for the United States to gain control of Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark that houses a significant U.S. military base, highlighting its critical role in national security.
“We require this financial security; we need Greenland very much,” Trump conveyed to reporters at the dinner. “Russian ships and Chinese ships are increasingly present, surrounding it for quite some time. That’s a critical lane for us. We need that for our national security.”
Trump remarked that the people of Greenland “would be eager to join as a state of the United States,” noting that Denmark might oppose this idea.
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“Perhaps some actions regarding tariffs need to take place with Denmark as a part of protecting the free world,” he continued.
Trump also hinted at his interest in U.S. control over the Panama Canal—connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—although this subject was not discussed during the dinner.
Trump Addresses Canada, Drones, and Putin
Trump defended his characterization of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a state “governor,” expressing that the 40 million-strong nation would fit well within the United States as a state.
He argued that the United States is “subsidizing” Canada to the tune of $250 billion annually and asserted that reliance on Canadian products such as lumber, dairy, and automobiles is unnecessary.
Trump also addressed the recent surge in unmanned drone sightings, vowing to provide an investigation report on the matter shortly after he takes office.
“It’s absurd that they’re not disclosing what’s happening with the drones,” Trump remarked, seemingly alluding to the federal government.
Other governors at the dinner voiced their concerns that these drones might intrude into U.S. military or secure zones.
“We’ll have a clearer picture on the 21st,” he indicated. “You’ll need to give me some time post-Inauguration, but shortly thereafter, I promise to deliver a detailed report on the findings.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discusses his resignation outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, on Jan. 6, 2025. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
Later, Trump indicated that he is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “He’s interested in meeting, and we are in the process of arranging it.”
Outside the gathering, Governor Gianforte remarked that participants were “excited to accept the president-elect’s invitation” and anticipated a forthcoming “collaborative, working relationship, something we haven’t experienced over the past four years.”
“It’s been a lengthy period of non-cooperation from Washington,” Gianforte mentioned. “We look forward to the new administration’s arrival. There’s much to accomplish for our states.”
The Montana governor noted that some of the GOP governors invited to Trump’s dinner were unable to attend due to their inauguration commitments. One was delayed by snow, he added.
It remains unclear which governors were absent from the dinner.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
