US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has secured control over Greenland and Venezuela, describing the purported acquisitions as the “greatest real estate deal in history” during a campaign rally for Republican candidates in Perry, Georgia, on Saturday (local time).However, neither territory has been transferred to US sovereignty.Addressing supporters, Trump claimed Denmark had handed Greenland over to Washington and boasted of US dominance over Venezuela and its oil reserves.“Denmark was so great, they gave us Greenland. You do know that, right? We already have that. We’re doing good with that, aren’t we?” Trump told the crowd.He also referred to earlier concerns that the US would attempt to take control of the Arctic island.“All of them talked, ‘Donald Trump, Donald Trump, he’s going to attack! He’s going to attack Greenland!’ But Denmark gave us—we signed an agreement. You know what? The press hardly covered it. It’s going to go down as the greatest real estate deal in history, probably after Venezuela. I think Venezuela. What do you take: Venezuela or Greenland? Both? We got them both!” he said.
US-Denmark agreement does not cover Greenland
Trump’s remarks came days after the United States and Denmark signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 22 to strengthen maritime industrial cooperation and expand US shipbuilding capabilities.However, the agreement explicitly excludes Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Its section on legal status and scope states: “This MoU does not apply to Greenland or the Faroe Islands.”The document also clarifies that it records political intentions rather than constituting an international treaty.It creates no legal rights or obligations and “does not authorise any procurement, award of contracts or transfer of funds between the Participants”. Each country is expected to bear its own costs.Denmark has not transferred sovereignty over Greenland. Although a defence agreement expanded US military rights in the region, it continues to recognise Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic self-determination.Denmark’s ministry of foreign affairs highlighted the commercial focus of the maritime agreement in a statement on X, quoting foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.“Today, Denmark signs an agreement with the US, which paves the way for Danish expertise and solutions in US maritime efforts. The agreement opens significant opportunities for Danish companies and can create new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic,” Rasmussen said.The framework covers three areas: education and training to strengthen the US maritime workforce; equipment, technology and services to modernise shipbuilding, repair and retrofit capabilities; and defence industrial cooperation involving technologies with both civilian and military applications. Commercial contracts are to be finalised separately.
Trump highlights Greenland’s strategic and energy potential
The president’s claims follow a series of US moves concerning Greenland, an Arctic territory that remains under Danish sovereignty.On October 13, Trump announced on Truth Social that large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland.The announcement followed a tripartite agreement reached the previous month involving Washington, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen to strengthen Arctic security and defence cooperation.“Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!” Trump wrote, adding that the territory’s resources and strategic location were important to US and European security.He also argued that Greenland’s position would help the United States detect and counter potential threats, including drones and missiles.
Venezuela claims follow Maduro’s capture
Trump’s assertion that the United States had also secured Venezuela came after major political and military developments in the South American country earlier this year.In January, US forces carried out an operation that captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was detained, transferred to a US naval vessel and flown to New York to face criminal indictments.The operation prompted scrutiny from international legal scholars over potential violations of Venezuelan sovereignty. Trump defended the action, saying the United States had liberated Venezuela from a “very powerful, very nasty dictatorship”.In September, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time and signalled a diplomatic reset. She said Venezuela would take “historic responsibility” for guiding the country towards democratic elections and full democracy on its own timeline.Rodríguez also expressed a desire to rebuild relations with Washington.“Venezuela aspires—with the United States, with its neighbours, and with all the countries of our continent and the international community—to rebuild and sustain relations based on cooperation, respect, and equality,” she said.She added that Venezuela was seeking a national “rebirth” after a period marked by internal political tensions, heightened military confrontation with Washington and earthquakes on June 24.
Trump announces Audi investment at Georgia rally
Trump’s remarks on Greenland and Venezuela came at a rally where he also announced plans for a major automobile manufacturing investment in Georgia.The president said German luxury carmaker Audi, owned by Volkswagen, would invest $4.2 billion in a plant near Macon capable of producing 200,000 vehicles annually.He credited his tariff policies for the decision.Audi chairman Gernot Döllner, who appeared alongside Trump, said the facility would manufacture “our biggest and most premium SUVs”.“This is a long-term investment, because we believe in the American market,” Döllner said.According to Audi’s announcement, the plant is expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and production planned for the early 2030s.The rally was held as Republicans seek to retain their majorities in Congress ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Trump has spent October campaigning in Republican-leaning states as the party faces concerns over the president’s unpopularity, high living costs and the ongoing war in Iran.Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for Georgia governor, welcomed the investment announcement, saying: “Thank you on behalf of Georgia for putting the biggest economic deal in Georgia history right here today.”
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