U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, calling it strategically vital and promising prosperity for the island’s residents if they were to join the United States.
“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,” Trump said in his address to Congress on Tuesday.
The remarks reignited a debate that first surfaced during his initial presidency when he proposed buying the vast Arctic island from Denmark, an idea dismissed outright by Copenhagen at the time.
Why Greenland? Security and Resources
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is home to just 56,000 people but covers over 2 million square kilometers—making it the world’s largest island. Beyond its size, its strategic Arctic location and rich mineral resources make it an attractive target for Washington.
Trump emphasized national security concerns, noting that Greenland lies along a key route between Europe and North America and plays a role in the U.S. ballistic missile defense system. “We need it really for international world security,” he stated.
Greenlanders and Denmark Respond
According to Reuters, opinion polls suggest that most Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S., though a majority support eventual independence from Denmark. Trump’s renewed interest has invigorated Greenland’s independence movement, leading to increased calls for secession talks.
However, Greenland’s ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party has urged caution, stating they will not rush an independence vote after the upcoming March 11 general election, citing economic and welfare concerns.
Denmark has firmly rejected the idea of selling Greenland. Danish U.N. Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen reaffirmed Greenlanders’ right to self-determination but made it clear that Copenhagen does not intend to sell the territory.
“The future of Greenland is really for the people of Greenland to decide,” Lassen said. “We have a very close transatlantic bond with the United States and have worked on Arctic security for decades.”
Trump: “We’re Going to Get It”
Despite opposition from Denmark, Trump seemed confident about the U.S. eventually acquiring Greenland. “I think we’re going to get it, one way or the other, we’re gonna get it,” he told a laughing Republican audience in Congress.
His comments signal that Greenland could become a major geopolitical issue in his second term, especially as Arctic tensions rise with Russia and China increasing their presence in the region.
