DONALD TRUMP’S GREENLAND AMBITIONS COULD INVOLVE MILITARY FORCE
The connection between Donald Trump and Greenland has long been established but leading up to his second term as President, the ideas are getting more extreme. This includes the idea of using military force to take over the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Europe isn’t impressed and the use of military force against our ally is deemed extreme by many.
Did Donald Trump Try to Trade Puerto Rico for Greenland?
During his first term, Donald Trump wanted to add Greenland to the United States and even had a plan involving a trade with Denmark that would provide them with Puerto Rico, according to the book The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser of the New York Times and The New Yorker, respectively.
At the time, John Bolton was the U.S. National Security Adviser and tasked his aide Fiona Hill to create a team focused on purchasing Greenland.
Nothing came to be as the price for Trump to buy Greenland would be too high, so instead, an increase in American presence was the preferred path to help stave off enemy nations from operating in the Arctic.
The outlandish plan was made even worse when contrasted with Trump’s ideas about using federal money to complete the purchase—funds that were meant for Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, Trump’s comments calling Puerto Rico “dirty” after officials visited the area following the devastation brought about by Hurricane Maria.
National Security and Climate Change
Trump wants to buy Greenland and though the idea of taking over the island is outlandish for many reasons, the reasoning is much more clear—to establish a stronger geopolitical advantage over rivals in Europe and Asia.
There are multiple expansionist threats in the Arctic and interest in Greenland is driven by national security concerns, which would include defensive measures to prevent nuclear and traditional attacks on the U.S. mainland.
However, the idea is far from new. Bolton has noted that U.S. leaders have sought control of Greenland for over a century, highlighting long-standing American interest in the island.
Tariffs and Economic Pressures
Part of Trump’s renewed interest in buying Greenland involves economic pressure and high tariffs—he’s also made comments suggesting Denmark doesn’t legitimately own the world’s largest island.
Such rhetoric has been far and wide leading up to Trump’s second term involving taking over the Panama Canal and renaming the Gulf of Mexico, however, another related addition could also be connected to his Greenland ambitions.
Trump has talked about using “economic force” to add Canada to the U.S., which would put our nation even closer geographically to Greenland.
However, Greenland’s situation may involve military action according to the future leader of the Free World.
Europe Pushes Back Against Trump on Greenland
Talk of economic pressures and military takeovers may persist but many European leaders aren’t backing down.
Multiple countries have already pushed back against Trump’s military plans for Greenland, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz—even if the ideas still feel farfetched.
"It is out of the question that the European Union would let other countries…attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are. If you're asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes," said Barrot.
Furthermore, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen continues to point out that even if Trump wants to buy Greenland, the island is not for sale.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede has also pushed back about the idea, stating "We need to stay calm and stick to our principles," though complimenting the United States as an important ally of Denmark, amid the island’s push for independence.
Invading an ally with the use of military force seems like a ridiculous prospect but early into 2025, it’s becoming a much more normal topic of conversation.
Trump wants Greenland but it doesn’t appear that a reasonable avenue to make that happen is on the table.
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