Trump could take Greenland in 24 HOURS in ‘world’s shortest war’ against tiny force of 17,000 troops, experts reveal
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DONALD Trump could storm Greenland and claim it within 24 hours in the "world’s shortest war", analysts have revealed. The incoming US leader has refused to rule out taking Greenland by force after doubling down on his intention to buy the territory from Denmark.
![[US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and accompanying ships in the Ionian Sea.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ddg-64-uss-roosevelt-ddg-851183214.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Far from being a useless block of ice, Greenland is a vital strategic asset bursting with natural resources and sits bang in the middle of the main Arctic trade routes. It's become the epicentre of a struggle between superpowers - with Russia and China both ramping up efforts to take control of the region.
![[Eight Danish soldiers in camouflage uniforms stand in a snowy landscape.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/trump-take-greenland-24-hours-962804141.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has demanded crunch talks with Trump after his latest remarks, insisting: "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.". But if Trump did invade, America's military might means a war would be over in just 24 hours, politics professor Anthony Glees told The Sun.
![[Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2023-ritzau-scanpix-thomas-traasdahl-962384380.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Speaking to The Sun, Glees said Trump will be surrounded by "people who think he is great" - and it means he will be able to go ahead with any wild ideas he has. Glees said: "In other words, we have to take him seriously. "And if Trump wanted to take Greenland by force, he could do it in 24 hours.".
![[Illustration of Top Trumps cards comparing the US and Danish armed forces, showing significant differences in budget, personnel, aircraft, tanks, and ships.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ac-10_01-top-trumps-usa-denmark-graphic-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
As an autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland has its own ruling body - but people from the island have Danish citizenship. But Trump said US ownership of Greenland is an "absolute necessity" to protect global "national security and freedom". Greenland - the largest non-continent island in the world - has a population of just 57,000, and virtually no defensive capabilities of its own.
![[Donald Trump speaking at a microphone.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024-phoenix-arizona-annual-four-959266350-e1736331006775.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
