The United States' repeated interest in acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has been a recurring theme, with US President Donald Trump citing national security and strategic importance. This proposition has been consistently rejected by leaders in both Greenland and Denmark, sparking a wider international discussion on Arctic geopolitics, Greenland's sovereignty, and the historical context of US engagement in the region.
US President's Interest and Rationale
President Donald Trump has publicly stated that national security is the primary driver behind his interest in Greenland. In 2025, he remarked, "We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic." He emphasized this motivation, stating "not minerals," despite analyses indicating potential US interest in Greenland's natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron, alongside a broader goal of asserting dominance in the Americas.
"We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic."
During his initial presidential term in 2019, President Trump proposed purchasing the island, an offer that was declined. Interest was reportedly renewed in January 2025, and he has not excluded the use of force as a potential method for acquisition. This stance reportedly caused concern in Denmark, a NATO ally.
Specific actions by the US administration include:
- March 2025: Vice-President JD Vance visited Greenland, delivering a speech that accused Denmark of insufficient investment in the territory's protection.
- Late 2025 / December 2025: President Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland. Mr. Landry has publicly discussed the island's potential integration into the United States.
- President Trump also linked his interest in Greenland to the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the subsequent US influence in Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly characterized the rhetoric surrounding acquisition as a negotiating tactic for a potential sale. Senator Mitch McConnell, in the US Congress, criticized the proposed seizure, citing potential damage to allied trust without significant gains. President Trump's approach has been described as more aggressive compared to previous US administrations' engagements in Greenland.
Reactions from Greenland and Denmark
Leaders in Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected the notion of US acquisition, firmly asserting their sovereignty and autonomy.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen responded in early 2026:
"No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation. We are open to dialogue... But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law."
He further stated that remarks linking Greenland to Venezuela and military intervention were "incorrect and disrespectful." Nielsen reiterated that Greenland does not wish to be owned, governed, or part of the United States, indicating that if a choice were necessary, Greenland would choose Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that discussing the US acquiring Greenland "makes absolutely no sense" and asserted that "the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom."
"The US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom."
She urged the US to cease remarks against an ally and indicated that military force would jeopardize the transatlantic defense alliance, potentially signifying its end. She condemned the "completely unacceptable pressure" from a close ally.
Public sentiment in Greenland, as reported by journalists, has expressed a desire for the island to be left undisturbed, with residents conveying apprehension about potential US military action. While an estimated 85% of Greenlanders reportedly oppose a US takeover, a significant portion also favors independence from Denmark. All five political parties in Greenland's parliament have expressed opposition to the territory becoming part of the US.
In January 2026, officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland met, with Denmark's foreign minister reporting a "fundamental disagreement" while affirming continued dialogue. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt are scheduled to meet US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Denmark's NATO allies, including major European countries and Canada, have voiced support, stating that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations and emphasizing the importance of upholding UN Charter principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Greenland: Territory Profile and Strategic Significance
Greenland, the world's largest non-continental island, is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. With a population of approximately 56,000 to 57,000, predominantly indigenous Inuit people, most residents reside on the southwestern coast around the capital, Nuuk. About 80% of its landmass is covered by ice. The island's economy is largely based on fishing and relies on substantial subsidies from the Danish government.
Greenland has been under Danish control for approximately 300 years, functioning as a colony until 1953, when it became part of the Kingdom of Denmark. A 1979 home rule referendum established Greenland's control over most internal policies, with Denmark retaining authority over foreign affairs and defense. A 2009 agreement granted Greenland the right to declare independence but noted its significant reliance on Danish subsidies.
The island's strategic location in the Arctic between North America and Europe makes it significant for:
- National Security and Defense: Critical for US defense, particularly concerning potential missile routes over the North Pole, early warning systems against missile attacks, and monitoring regional vessel activity. An Arctic Institute paper recommended an increased US presence in the region to counter Russian and Chinese military developments.
- Natural Resources: Increasing international attention is placed on Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, iron, oil, and gas deposits, which may become more accessible as the ice sheet melts due to global warming. This also aligns with US efforts to diversify supply chains.
- Shipping Routes: The ongoing melting of Arctic ice is making Arctic waters more navigable for shipping routes between Europe, Russia, and North America.
- Space Operations: Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) is a key component of the US military’s Space Force, providing capabilities for missile detection and climate tracking, which is strategically valuable for orbital operations. Greenland's high latitude also offers favorable conditions for rocket launches, particularly for polar- and sun-synchronous orbits, positioning it as a potential Arctic launch hub.
Historical US Engagement in Greenland
US interest in Greenland dates back to the 19th century:
- 1867: US Secretary of State William H. Seward proposed purchasing Greenland and Iceland from Denmark.
- 1917: Consideration during the purchase of the US Virgin Islands from Denmark.
- World War II: Following the Nazi occupation of mainland Denmark in 1941, the US military established bases in Greenland to protect it and support the European war effort. These bases served as vital refueling points for aircraft and safeguarded the world's largest cryolite mine in Ivittuut, essential for aluminum smelting. Both US and German forces established weather stations, leading to a "weather war" which concluded in 1944.
- Post-WWII: The Truman administration offered Denmark $100 million for the territory in 1946. This arrangement concluded in 1949 when Denmark joined NATO, and the US agreed to relinquish any claims to permanent presence.
- 1951 Defense Agreement: A bilateral agreement provided the US with a significant role in Greenland's defense, including rights to construct and maintain military bases.
- Cold War: The 1950s saw the construction of Thule Air Base, housing bombers, fighters, nuclear missiles, and over 10,000 soldiers. The US Army also developed Camp Century, a nuclear-powered base built inside the ice sheet for research, and conceptualized Project Iceworm for buried missile launch stations, which did not proceed beyond initial construction.
Historically, US Navy officer Robert Peary conducted explorations in Greenland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reportedly taking items and persuading six Greenlanders to travel to New York, five of whom died from diseases. He also removed significant fragments of the Cape York iron meteorite, a traditional metal source for indigenous Inuit.
Contemporary Challenges and Broader Context
The discussions surrounding Greenland's future occur within a context of several challenges:
- Environmental Concerns: The 1966 abandonment of Camp Century by the US Army left hundreds of tons of waste, including frozen sewage, asbestos, toxic lead paint, and PCBs, inside the ice sheet. Climate warming and ice melt are projected to bring this waste to the surface, raising questions about cleanup responsibilities.
- Climate Change Impacts: Rising Arctic temperatures are causing floods, destroying infrastructure, and rapid permafrost thaw, which destabilizes infrastructure, including the radar installation and runway at Pituffik Space Base. The melting of Greenland's ice sheet, which holds enough water to raise global sea levels by 24 feet, presents potential catastrophic global impacts.
- Colonial History: Denmark has faced criticism for its historical treatment of the local population, including the forced prescription of birth control to Indigenous Greenlandic women, for which the Prime Minister issued an apology in September. Donald Trump's interest has reignited discussions about Greenland's independence from Denmark.
- International Legal Order: The situation highlights increasing challenges to the post-war rules-based international order. Space law, particularly the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, is noted to struggle in adapting to current conditions involving private satellites and commercial space projects. Major powers are increasingly viewing both terrestrial and orbital realms as strategic assets.
- Diplomatic Outlook: Discussions are aimed at achieving understanding and compromise, potentially leading to increased business cooperation, trade, mining partnerships, or more American military bases in Greenland. Some suggest a "free association" agreement, granting Greenland independence while the United States assumes authority over its defense and foreign affairs.
The United States maintains a military base in Greenland under a 1951 bilateral agreement, which allows for a flexible troop presence. The US presence has significantly reduced from approximately 10,000 personnel during the Cold War to around 200 currently. Denmark disputes US claims of inadequate security for the island.