WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and confirmed that Washington is holding discussions with NATO regarding the Arctic territory.

“NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly,” Trump told reporters.

“If we don’t have it, we have a big hole in national security — especially when it comes to what we’re doing in terms of the Golden Dome and all of the other things.”

Trump did not provide details about the military or security initiatives he referenced but said the United States is actively engaging the alliance. “We’re talking to NATO,” he said.

Earlier Friday, Trump said he is considering using tariffs as leverage against countries that oppose U.S. interests related to Greenland.

“I may do that for Greenland, too,” he said, recalling a previous exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron in which he threatened a 25% tariff.

“I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security,” he said at an event at the White House.

Last week, Trump said the United States must “acquire” Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence over the autonomous Danish territory. Denmark and Greenland have rejected any proposal to sell the island, reaffirming Danish sovereignty.

Top Danish officials met Wednesday with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House to discuss the issue. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the talks were “frank and constructive” but acknowledged that “fundamental disagreements” remain.

On Friday, a delegation of U.S. lawmakers arrived in Copenhagen for meetings with Danish business leaders amid continuing diplomatic tensions.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said the delegation aimed to underline long-standing ties with Denmark and Greenland, adding that Trump’s remarks “do not align with what the American people feel and believe,” according to Danish news agency DR.

Danish parliamentary speaker Soren Gade criticized the tone of the U.S. administration toward Greenland, calling it “indecent” in a social media post. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina described Trump’s threats as “absurd,” saying Greenland is a sovereign territory.

Christian Friis Bach, chairman of Denmark’s Foreign Policy Committee, said the goal was to ensure U.S. lawmakers return home with a clear message that Greenland cannot be taken over.

U.S. special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry told Fox News that he plans to visit the island in March, saying he believes “a deal can and will be made,” and that Trump “is serious” about wanting Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Greenland, which holds strategic importance in the Arctic.

The White House said Thursday that any deployment of European troops to Greenland would not affect Trump’s plans. Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway earlier announced plans to deploy a joint mission to Greenland following inconclusive talks in Washington. — Agencies