One of the major questions being passed around the hallowed halls of foreign policy today is the emerging status of the world’s largest island – Greenland. This monstrous piece of land, a nominal contradiction, was once considered a mere slab of ice, but it has recently been transformed into an international inflection point as President Donald Trump has made extensive overtures regarding the acquisition of the territory – a geopolitical power play that seems to have the same air as one of his real estate deals.
Many have posed the usual responses to anything proactive that the President seems to suggest – “Why Donald Trump Can’t Really Buy Greenland,”[1] “Americans Say It’s A Really Bad Idea.” [2] I won’t waste time entertaining these kinds of retorts against the President for it has been overdone just about everywhere. But, what no doubt merits discussion is the reality for all United States, Canadian and Western European citizens – the stark fact that Greenland MUST become a territory of the United States. The days of passive acceptance of Danish control are now over. And, no, this is not another proposed Neo Conservative adventure controlled by private contractors in far off lands – what we are really discussing is preventing the presence of another major power on the roof of North America.
Greenland has become a major point of interest in recent years to the major powers of the world. The once frozen Arctic Ocean and Greenland Sea have been melting rapidly and this has allowed foreign navies space to roam and explore at will.[3] The territory itself is rich in vital resources including, but not limited to oil, natural gas and the ever elusive rare earth that has given China unprecedented leverage in this new technological age.[4] But, at the end of the day these resources can be looked upon as mere bonuses when compared to the strategical position of this vast frozen landscape. The island stands above Canada much like a sturdy knight holding the eastern flank of North America in its constant watch and staring directly across the Baffin Bay and scattered Canadian land at its counterpoint – Alaska.
For those who think adding Greenland to the United States is an impossibility too ridiculous to even consider – it is time for a serious wake-up call. The process of getting to an acquisition was started in 1867 [5] and gradually followed with a series of offers that eventually led to US military presence on the island during World War II. [6] Today, we have Pituffik Space Force Base on the western coast of the island [7] and a consulate in Nuuk that was opened in 2020. [8] And, while many pundits and other talking heads cry about US overreach, China has already made many serious attempts at seizing control of the island with various loan schemes and development deals. [9] Thankfully, these attempts have largely been rebuffed with pressure from the US and Denmark. [9]
And, what remains a very tough question for those who wish to oppose further US involvement is whether Denmark’s military or a fully independent Greenland can adequately defend the island in the event of a major takeover. The answer to that is emphatically no. Denmark will be further bogged down in Europe as Russia gains strength in the east and Greenland by itself has less than 60,000 total citizens to defend the largest island in the world. Without the US it will eventually become an outpost for any of the world’s powers that want in. If any of the nuclear countries were to gain control of any part of the area it would become a world class dilemma for the United States, Canada, the majority of Western Europe and a tragic setback for all those who preach about world peace.
All of those who have vocally supported a united western front in Ukraine should take it upon themselves to be just as adamant about what happens in Greenland. These people should realize that a soft acquisition of the island by the US is the only safe solution – the other options are China, Russia and other hostile entities using questionable means to take possession of the island. And, just as important, the majority of people in Greenland who daily clamor for more independence deserve better than to be treated as a mere colony. The independence they currently have from Denmark is limited at best and many complain that they are treated as second-class citizens under their current “home rule” liberties.[10] It is very doubtful that China or Russia will treat them any better.
So the question remains – do you really want a hostile entity with dangerous weapons and lethal intentions to make a home on top of your house? A free-thinking people would certainly answer no.
“Whoever holds Greenland will hold the Arctic. It’s the most important strategic location in the Arctic and perhaps the world.” [11]
~Walter Berbrick
Naval War College
Citations
1. https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-us-buy-greenland-cost-sale-why-2005396
2. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/01/15/trump-greenland-poll/77668938007/
3. https://theconversation.com/meltwater-from-greenland-and-the-arctic-is-weakening-ocean-circulation-speeding-up-warming-down-south-238302
4. https://www.fpri.org/article/2020/10/chinas-monopoly-on-rare-earth-elements-and-why-we-should-care/
5.https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/greenland-us-purchase-history-wwii
6. “1941: The Coast Guard and the Greenland Operations”. cgaviationhistory.org. Coast Guard Aviation Association. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
7. Dillon, Connie (6 April 2023). “Thule Air Base Gets New Name”. Space Force News. Retrieved April 2023.
8. Wingate, Sophie (11 June 2020). “US opens a consulate in Greenland, a year after a bid to buy”. ArcticToday. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
9.https://www.clingendael.org/pub/2020/presence-before-power/4-greenland-what-is-china-doing-there-and-why/
10.”Donald Trump Jr.: Greenland wants to leave Denmark and be part of the U.S.” Newsmax. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vErUCjHOVFE
11. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/24/trump-buy-greenland-1474349