WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump said Friday that Greenland is vital to US national security and confirmed that discussions with NATO are ongoing regarding the territory.

"NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly, Trump told the 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 specific details about the military or security initiatives he referenced, but highlighted that the US is actively engaging the alliance on the matter.

"We're talking to NATO," he said.

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

"I may do that for Greenland, too," Trump said, recounting a past exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron in which he used the threat of a sweeping 25% tariff to push for higher drug prices in France.

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

Last week, Trump suggested that the US must "acquire" Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the autonomous territory of Denmark.

Both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any proposal to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.

Top Danish officials met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the issue.

Following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters the discussion was "frank and constructive" but that "fundamental disagreements" remain.