President-elect Donald Trump has revived his controversial interest in purchasing Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory known for its vast natural resources and strategic geopolitical location.
Trump has called Greenland essential for U.S. "national security purposes" and hinted at using military or economic pressure to bring the world's biggest island under American control.
Why It Matters
Trump's push for Greenland aligns with his self-described "America First" policy framework, which has increasingly focused on securing critical resources and asserting U.S. dominance over Canada and the Panama Canal.
At a recent press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump reminded his followers of his intentions, initially expressed during his first term in 2019. He'd previously floated the idea of purchasing the island, which Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called "absurd," leading Trump to cancel a planned visit to Denmark that same year.
What to Know
Greenland, home to just 56,000 residents, is rich in untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and natural gas. It also hosts Thule Air Base, a critical component of the U.S. missile defense system. Its location, straddling the Arctic Circle, makes it a strategic asset for military and trade routes, especially as melting ice opens up new shipping lanes.
Now, with the Arctic playing an increasingly central role in global trade and geopolitics, Trump has once again turned his attention to the world's largest island.
Trump Jr.'s Surprise Visit to Greenland
The President-elect's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited the island on Monday, reportedly to film podcast content. Little time passed before the political implications of the trip became clear, with Trump sparking renewed speculation about U.S. intentions via a post on his platform Truth Social.
"Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland," he wrote. "The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"
Despite this, Greenland's government said in a statement Trump Jr.'s visit was taking place "as a private individual" and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.
Greenland's Resources and China's Interest
The president-elect has also linked his interest in Greenland to competition with China, which dominates global production of rare earth minerals. Greenland's vast deposits of these minerals, critical for electronics and defense systems, present an opportunity to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. Military action hasn't been ruled out to achieve this.
Climate change is accelerating Greenland's geopolitical significance. Melting ice is exposing previously inaccessible resources and opening Arctic shipping routes, intensifying international competition for control of the region. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, Greenland's ice sheet has been losing an average of 182 billion tons of ice annually since 1992, with severe implications for global sea levels.
What People Are Saying
Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede has renewed calls for independence from Denmark, framing it as a step away from the island's colonial past. However, Egede dismissed the idea of joining the United States, stating firmly that Greenland "is not for sale." Independence remains a central issue ahead of parliamentary elections, which must occur by April 6.
Ohio University security and environment professor Geoff Dabelko described the island as "central to the geopolitical, geoeconomic competition in many ways."
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament said she has no interest in Greenland becoming part of the U.S. and said she hears the same sentiment from her constituents. "Most people don't want it," she said. "I think some people find it quite disrespectful. And the way it has been done, and just the fact that you're saying that you can buy another country."
What's Next
As Trump prepares to take office, his Greenland ambitions could face significant hurdles. Both Greenlandic and Danish officials have dismissed the idea of a sale, and public sentiment on the island appears opposed to U.S. acquisition. Meanwhile, the Arctic's strategic importance will likely keep Greenland at the center of geopolitical debates.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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