Why does Donald Trump want to buy Greenland? Alarm over visit by US delegation
Second Lady Usha Vance is visiting Greenland this week as part of a delegation that includes the US’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz.
The visit has caused alarm in Greenland as President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed plans to acquire Greenland since returning to the White House and the outgoing Greenlandic prime minister, Múte Egede, labelled the plans aggressive, saying neither one of the pair had been invited for meetings.
Mr Trump interest in Greenland is not new: he became embroiled in a spat with Denmark in 2019 after suggesting the US was interested in buying Greenland. At the time, Denmark’s ex-foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, told broadcaster TV2 that it was “a diplomatic farce” and said Trump’s behaviour was “grotesque” and he was “throwing a hissy fit”.
So why does Mr Trump want to make Greenland part of the US and why is the issue resurfacing now?
Upernavik in western Greenland
Denmark has had ties to Greenland for centuries and it was a colony until 1953 when it became a Danish province. Home rule was established in 1979 and a 2009 referendum gave more autonomy to the region.
Greenland depends on Danish economic support but handles its own domestic affairs, while Copenhagen looks after defence and foreign policy.
Why does Mr Trump want to buy Greenland?
The US has a refuelling base for long-range bombers and other military infrastructure on Greenland
Greenland lies between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans on a strategically important route between North America and Europe – and, by extension, Russia. It is a quarter of the size of the US.
America already has an established presence on the island. In 1952 it constructed the Thule Air Force base as a refuelling stop for long-range bombing missions. The base was also a ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance site since 1961. Former military airfields in Narsarsuaq, Kulusuk and Kangerlussuaq have become civilian airports.
Mr Trump has in the past cited national security concerns as to why he wants to pursue purchase of the nation, saying: “We need greater national security purposes. I’ve been told that for a long time, long before I even ran [for president]. People really don’t even know that Denmark has any legal right to it but, if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.”
Greenland is rich in natural resources, particularly coal, zinc, copper and iron ore. Retreating ice could uncover the potential oil and mineral resources, which, if successfully tapped, could dramatically change the island’s fortunes. However, no oil has yet been found in Greenlandic waters and the thickness of the ice means exploration is only possible in coastal regions.
Having access to Greenland’s resources would allow the US to counter China’s aggressive economic expansion – the country dominates the global market in rare-earth metals mining. Control of Greenland could also hinder Russia’s military ambitions.
Buying the territory would also go some way to securing Mr Trump’s place in US presidential history after Andrew Johnson bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 and Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana from the French in 1803.
But Mr Trump is not the first American leader to think of the idea, which has been mooted since the 1860s. In 1946 Harry Truman, as president, proposed to pay Denmark $100 million to buy Greenland after considering the idea of swapping land in Alaska for strategic parts of the Arctic island.
What have Denmark and Greenland said about it?
In 2019, then Greenland prime minister Kim Kielsen said: “Greenland is not for sale but Greenland is open for trade and co-operation with other countries, including the USA.”
On March 11, Jens-Frederik Nielsen of the Demokraatit party won 30% of the vote in a general election and will take the helm in the country, continuing the oppositon to Mr Trump’s goals.
“We don’t want to be Americans,” he said. “No, we don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves, not with his hope.”
“Greenland is not for sale,” Ms Frederiksen said. “We need to stay calm and stick to our principles.”
