The prospect of the United States acquiring Greenland has resurfaced, particularly with the incoming Trump administration, echoing an idea that had garnered attention during the president’s first term.
During his initial term, Trump famously tweeted a digitally altered image showcasing a shiny Trump Tower placed amid the picturesque coastlines of Greenland, humorously captioning it, “I promise not to do this to Greenland!”
In August 2019, while addressing reporters, President Trump openly confirmed his keen interest in purchasing Greenland. This assertion sparked widespread curiosity and ignited a vigorous discussion surrounding the potential acquisition.
“Denmark essentially owns it,” Trump elaborated. “We’re very good allies with Denmark; we protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world. So the concept came up, and I said, ‘Certainly I’d be.” He added that while the idea was strategically interesting, it wasn’t at the top of his agenda, stating, “It’s not No. 1 on the burner, I can tell you that.”
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on Trump’s interest, identifying sources who indicated he had conveyed his thoughts on the subject with “varying degrees of seriousness.”
The notion was effectively sidelined with the transition of power to Joe Biden in 2021, yet it has resurfaced in online discussions following Trump’s recent electoral victory.
Republican Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia posted a striking electoral map on November 7 that depicted Greenland casting its vote for the GOP, accompanied by the intriguing caption, “Project 2029.”
Following this, a member of the Danish parliament voiced strong opposition to the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland. Rasmus Jarlov stated explicitly that the Danish parliament does not intend to offer the territory for sale to any nation, particularly not the United States.
“Greenlandic independence requires approval by the Danish parliament and a change of our constitution,” Jarlov firmly wrote. “I can guarantee you that there is no way we would approve independence so that you could buy Greenland. Nice fantasy but forget it.”
This situation is far from the first occasion when the U.S. has contemplated acquiring Greenland, a territory considered strategically significant, particularly during times of global conflict.
After the conclusion of World War II, President Harry Truman proposed to Denmark a substantial sum of $100 million to purchase Greenland in 1946, but the Danish government declined the offer.
Earlier discussions about acquiring Greenland took place in 1945 when Senator Owen Brewster from Maine referred to the territory as a “military necessity,” a sentiment echoed by American military leaders.
In 1946, officials from the State Department conveyed that the Joint Chiefs of Staff believed there was a strong case for the U.S. to acquire the territory. That December, Secretary of State James Byrnes even made an official proposal to Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Gustav Rasmussen, suggesting that a sale might be the most straightforward solution.
American interest in Greenland’s strategic location is not a new concept; as early as 1867, the State Department had contemplated purchasing both Greenland and Iceland, acknowledging their vital importance in global affairs.
If an agreement were hypothetically reached for Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States, it would mark the most significant expansion of American territory since the famed Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans. Stories can be sent to [email protected]
How has Denmark responded to renewed discussions about Greenland’s potential sale to the U.S.?
**Interview with Political Analyst on U.S. Interest in Acquiring Greenland**
*Host*: Welcome to our show! Today, we have with us Dr. Lisa Wilkins, a political analyst and expert on international relations. We’re diving into a topic that has resurfaced in the news: the possibility of the United States acquiring Greenland, particularly with the incoming Trump administration. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Wilkins!
*Dr. Wilkins*: Thank you for having me!
*Host*: Let’s start with a bit of history. The idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland isn’t new. Can you remind our listeners about the events from Trump’s first term that reignited this discussion?
*Dr. Wilkins*: Certainly! Back in August 2019, President Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark. He made headlines when he tweeted a humorous image of a Trump Tower photoshopped onto Greenland’s landscape, saying, “I promise not to do this to Greenland!” This sparked significant debate and curiosity about the strategic, economic, and political implications of such an acquisition [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_the_United_States_to_purchase_Greenland)].
*Host*: Interesting! And what were some of Trump’s main arguments for wanting to acquire the island?
*Dr. Wilkins*: Trump pointed out Greenland’s strategic importance for U.S. defense and its vast natural resources, including critical materials such as rare earth elements. He noted that Denmark is a close ally, suggesting that if the U.S. proposed the purchase, it would be in a spirit of partnership [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_the_United_States_to_purchase_Greenland)]. However, he also stated it wasn’t a priority on his agenda at the time.
*Host*: And after the transition of power to President Biden, this issue seemed to have waned. But now it’s resurfacing. Why do you think that is?
*Dr. Wilkins*: The interest has particularly resurfaced following Trump’s recent electoral victory and the subsequent commentary from Republican Congressman Mike Collins, who shared an electoral map indicating Greenland’s support for the GOP with a caption that hinted at a renewed interest in the territory, calling it “Project 2029.” This has sparked online discussions about U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_the_United_States_to_purchase_Greenland)].
*Host*: What has been the response from Denmark regarding this renewed interest from the U.S.?
*Dr. Wilkins*: The Danish parliament, represented by members like Rasmus Jarlov, has made it clear that they do not intend to sell Greenland to any nation. Jarlov emphasized that Greenlandic independence is a priority for Denmark and any discussions about acquisition would not be entertained [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_the_United_States_to_purchase_Greenland)].
*Host*: So, it sounds like while the discussion might be reigniting, the Danish government is firmly against any sale. What do you think the impact of continued U.S. interest could be on U.S.-Danish relations?
*Dr. Wilkins*: Continued U.S. interest in Greenland could create tension in U.S.-Danish relations, especially if perceived as undermining Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland. It’s a sensitive subject given the historical context of colonialism and modern perspectives on autonomy for territories like Greenland. How the U.S. government approaches this issue will be critical to maintaining diplomatic relations [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_the_United_States_to_purchase_Greenland)].
*Host*: Thank you, Dr. Wilkins, for your insights into this complex and evolving issue. It will certainly be interesting to see how things develop!
*Dr. Wilkins*: Thank you for having me!
