When former President Donald Trump suggested buying Greenland from Denmark during his first term, Denmark’s Prime Minister dismissed the idea as “absurd.”
Now, Danish officials have been warned by Trump’s allies that he might be serious this time. They are carefully considering how to respond without harming their close relationship with the U.S., a key NATO partner.
“Back in 2019, this idea wasn’t taken seriously, but now it feels very different,” said a senior Danish official.
Trump recently said, “We need Greenland for national security reasons.” He added, “People don’t even know if Denmark has the legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for security.”
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has expressed interest in discussing this further, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong ties with the U.S.
“We’re open to working closely with the U.S. to support their ambitions,” Rasmussen said.
The U.S. and Denmark already collaborate on Arctic matters, including a major American military base in Greenland. However, Trump has warned of potential tariffs against Denmark if they refuse to negotiate.
Greenland’s Position
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, firmly stated that Greenland belongs to its people. “Our future and independence are matters for us to decide,” he said.
The idea has also drawn responses from European leaders. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “Borders must remain respected, regardless of a country’s size or power.” Similarly, France’s Foreign Minister noted, “Europe would not allow interference with its sovereign borders.”
Strategic Importance of Greenland
Greenland has long been vital to U.S. national security, especially for monitoring activities in the Arctic. Its location helps counter potential threats from countries like Russia and China.
Some U.S. officials are concerned about Greenland’s independence movement. If Greenland becomes independent, it might face political instability and become vulnerable to foreign influence.
“Right now, Greenland’s connection to Denmark and NATO ensures stability,” an official explained. “If that changes, it could create new challenges.”
China and Russia’s increasing collaboration in the Arctic has already raised alarms. The melting ice caps have opened new shipping routes, making the Arctic a hotly contested region for trade and military influence.
Challenges Ahead
If the U.S. were to take over Greenland’s security responsibilities, it would need significant investments, including upgrading its aging fleet of icebreakers. Currently, Denmark’s navy handles most of Greenland’s patrol and ice-breaking operations.
For now, Trump’s comments have brought more attention to Greenland’s strategic importance in global politics.
“This shows how valuable Greenland is for the world,” said a defense official.
