Donald Trump shocked the world yesterday when he hinted at the incendiary idea of invading Greenland for “national security purposes.” But the U.S. president-elect has long expressed interest in taking control of the island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark—a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO—and already voiced his takeover plan during his first time in office.
Greenland’s strategic location makes it a geopolitical prize
Greenland’s unique location straddling the Arctic Circle between the U.S., Russia, and Europe makes the island a geopolitical prize that the U.S. and others like Russia and China have eyed for more than 150 years.
The vast landmass is considered a key corridor for naval operations between the Arctic and the North Atlantic, with Greenland hosting a large U.S. military base that has been vital ever since the Cold War.
By acquiring Greenland, Trump would ensure continued access to Pituffik Space Base—despite there being no current threat to stop access.
“We need Greenland for national security purposes,” Trump said over the weekend, adding that while military force is not his first option, economic pressure, such as tariffs on Denmark, remains firmly on the table.
The island’s natural resources attract U.S. interest
Global warming is causing the ice in the region to retreat, opening up shipping lanes and access to incredible riches, making the region a new geopolitical and economic asset, with the U.S., Russia, China, and others wanting in.
Greenland boasts valuable rare earth minerals needed for telecommunications, as well as uranium, billions of untapped barrels of oil, and a vast supply of natural gas. Many of these same minerals are currently being supplied mostly by China, a dependency the U.S. seeks to reduce.
Off Greenland’s shores, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there could be 17.5 billion undiscovered barrels of oil and 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, though exploration has been limited by the harsh climate and remoteness. Around the Arctic Circle, there’s potential for 90 billion barrels of oil.
Climate change opens up new opportunities in the Arctic
The retreat of ice due to climate change has also made Greenland a focal point for global climate science. The island’s massive ice sheet plays a critical role in regulating global weather and sea levels.
If Greenland’s ice sheet were to melt entirely, global sea levels would rise by an estimated 24 feet, reshaping coastlines and displacing millions. Scientists warn that this impact is already underway, with Greenland losing billions of tons of ice each year.
“Think of Greenland as an open refrigerator door or thermostat for a warming world,” said New York University climate scientist David Holland.
Denmark responds to Trump’s acquisition ambitions
Greenland is part of the Danish realm along with the Faroe Islands and has its own government and parliament. Denmark still manages foreign and defense policies for the island, providing an annual subsidy of $670 million.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has rejected Trump’s ambitions, emphasizing that Greenland’s future is not for sale. “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” Frederiksen said.
The prime minister also emphasized Denmark’s close alliance with the U.S. while warning that any discussions about Greenland must respect the wishes of its people.
Greenland’s government and residents push back
Greenlandic officials have expressed skepticism and even outrage at the notion of becoming part of the United States. In a statement, Greenland’s government said Trump’s overtures show a lack of understanding of their sovereignty and culture.
Meanwhile, Greenland’s residents have voiced concerns about losing their autonomy and being drawn into U.S. geopolitical rivalries. Some local leaders argue that Trump’s comments demonstrate a lack of respect for their identity and history.
Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to praise Greenland’s potential and even suggested that NHL legend Wayne Gretzky could play a role in Greenland’s leadership if it were to join the U.S.
