Trump’s Interest in Greenland
In 2019, former U.S. President Donald Trump stunned the world when reports emerged that he had expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, the vast Arctic territory owned by Denmark.
U.S. politicians plan to visit Greenland as President Trump continues to claim that the territory will be annexed. Second Lady Usha Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are expected to visit the island, and Vice President Vance has been added to the group.
The idea, which many initially dismissed as a joke, has now become a diplomatic controversy.
What is Greenland’s legal status?
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Although Greenland is a part of Denmark, the island’s government is responsible for the majority of their domestic affairs. However, Denmark retains control over defense and foreign affairs.
In February 2024, Greenland announced that their goal was to become independent.
What interest does the U.S. have in Greenland?
Trump’s interest in Greenland wasn’t entirely without historical precedent. A succession of U.S. presidents have tried to take control of Greenland for more than a century, including Secretary of State William Seward in 1867 and President Harry Truman in 1946.
When Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Denmark during World War II, the U.S. secretly established the Thule Air Base (now known as the Pituffik Space Base) in Greenland. In 1951, a defense agreement was established with Denmark that allowed the U.S. to construct and maintain military bases.
Pituffik is especially important to U.S. military capabilities because it rests directly between northern Russia and northern United States. Russia has maintained an interest in Greenland for a long time, and the shortest route for them to send missiles towards the U.S. would be through Greenland.
With both China and Russia expanding their influence in the Arctic, owning the island offers the U.S. an advantage in controlling Arctic shipping routes, military defense, and access to natural valuable resources. President Trump discussed buying the island during his first term, but the idea was strongly rejected by Denmark, with then-Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it “absurd”.
Greenland is rich in minerals such as iron ore, uranium, and rare earth elements. These resources are vital to advanced technology and defense industries, and it is argued that the U.S. could challenge China’s dominance in the global market if the country were to gain control of Greenland.
What does Greenland think?
While the U.S. sees Greenland as a valuable asset, Greenland thinks differently. In 2019, then-Premier Kim Kielsen firmly rejected Trump’s offer, stating, "Greenland is not for sale, Greenland is not Danish, Greenland belongs to Greenland."
While Greenland maintains economic ties with Denmark and the U.S., its goal is to secure full sovereignty. An opinion poll in January 2025 shows that 85% of Greenlanders do not want their island to become a part of the United States. Only 6% of Greenlanders want to become part of the U.S., and 9% are undecided.
While Trump's proposal was dismissed, Greenland’s strategic and economic importance ensures that these global powers will continue vying for influence over the Arctic, making its future a major geopolitical concern.