“…[W]e have to do it. We really need it for national security” declared U.S. President Donald Trump, reigniting his controversial ambition to annex Greenland. He made these remarks before a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on 13th March “It’s a very small population, but a very, very large piece of land. And very, very important for military security,” he added. Trump has made his desire to annex Greenland a major talking point since he took office on January 20, 2025. For instance, his recent remarks of March 13th suggested he might want NATO involved in his attempt to take over the island, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. The comments drew a swift rejection from the outgoing prime minister of Greenland.
During his speech to U.S. Congress earlier this month, Trump said his administration was “working with everybody involved to try and get it…[o]ne way or the other,” referring to his wishes to acquire Greenland from Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally. “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump said halfway through his 90-minute speech. “We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
Once seen as a remote, icy wilderness, Greenland is now at the center of international competition, with the U.S., China, and Russia vying for influence in the Arctic. As melting ice unlocks new trade routes and exposes vast reserves of rare earth minerals, Greenlanders are facing a historic decision—whether to remain economically tied to Denmark or push for full independence.
Why Does Greenland Matter to the U.S.?
Greenland holds immense military, economic, and geopolitical importance for the United States. Militarily, Greenland was once a Danish colony and is now an autonomous province of Denmark. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America, across Baffin Bay from Canada. Its strategic importance rose during the Cold War, and the U.S. has maintained a strong military presence there with the Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base. This base allows the U.S. to monitor and prevent missile threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, as well as launch military operations toward Asia and Europe more easily. Economically, Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, and advanced weaponry. Currently, China dominates the global supply of these minerals. In 2021, Greenland passed a law banning uranium mining, further complicating foreign investment in the sector. Geopolitically, as Arctic ice melts, new shipping routes are opening, increasing competition for influence in the region. The U.S. seeks to prevent China and Russia from gaining a foothold in Greenland and its surrounding waters.
Did the U.S. Tried to Acquire Greenland Before?
During his previous presidency, Trump proposed purchasing Greenland, calling it a “large real estate deal.” When Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the idea absurd, Trump canceled a scheduled visit to Denmark. Before that, in 1946, just after World War II, President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million for Greenland. He had also considered exchanging parts of Alaska for Greenland, though the proposal never progressed. The earliest U.S. interest in Greenland dates back to 1867 when the State Department identified Greenland’s strategic location and natural resources as valuable for acquisition. However, no formal effort was made at that time.
Has the U.S. Bought Any Territories Before?
The U.S. has a history of purchasing foreign territories to expand its strategic reach. The purchase of Alaska in 1867 was a significant acquisition, when the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million under President Andrew Johnson, adding 1.5 million square kilometers to American territory. Alaska became a state in 1959. Another example is the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, when the U.S. acquired over 2 million square kilometres from France for $15 million during President Thomas Jefferson’s tenure. In 1917, the U.S. bought the Danish West Indies from Denmark, renaming them the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What’s Next for Greenland?
The Arctic is changing, and so is Greenland’s role in global affairs. Climate change is making the region more accessible, intensifying competition for resources and trade routes. The U.S., Russia, and China are all vying for influence, making Greenland a geopolitical battleground. While the U.S. remains determined to solidify its presence, China has also sought opportunities in Greenland but has faced significant obstacles. In recent years, China has attempted to invest in Greenland’s infrastructure, mining, and scientific research. However, its efforts have been met with resistance from both Denmark and the U.S., which view Beijing’s growing Arctic ambitions with suspicion. Chinese companies have been blocked from acquiring stakes in Greenlandic mining projects, and proposed investments in airport construction and other infrastructure have been rejected due to security concerns. China’s broader Arctic strategy includes its self-proclaimed status as a “near-Arctic state” and plans to develop a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. However, Greenland has aligned closely with Denmark and the U.S. to limit Chinese influence in the region.
Denmark has acknowledged Greenland’s right to full independence whenever it chooses. But the path forward is uncertain. Greenland must determine whether it can develop an economy independent of Danish subsidies, whether it will exploit its resources despite environmental risks, and how it will navigate growing pressure from the world’s superpowers. For now, Greenland remains a self-governing territory under Danish rule. However, with rising global tensions, competing interests from the U.S., Russia, and China, and its immense strategic value, it is clear that the world will not be ignoring Greenland any longer.
