The possibility of the United States purchasing Greenland has resurfaced with the incoming Trump administration, reinvoking a discussion that was first floated during the president-elect’s first term in office. Trump had previously expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, calling it strategically interesting, although it was not a top priority at the time. This idea of acquiring Greenland has raised curiosity and debate, with supporters and detractors expressing their opinions on the matter. The Wall Street Journal first reported Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland, citing sources who said he had mentioned the idea with varying degrees of seriousness.
After Joe Biden took office in 2021, the idea of purchasing Greenland was put on hold, but it has resurfaced online following Trump’s victory earlier this month. A Republican Congressman from Georgia posted an electoral map featuring Greenland on social media, suggesting a future where Greenland votes GOP. However, a member of parliament in Denmark has pushed back on the idea of the United States acquiring Greenland as an American territory. According to Rasmus Jarlov, Danish parliament does not intend to offer the territory to anyone, especially the United States, as Greenlandic independence would require approval by the Danish parliament and a change in the constitution.
American interest in Greenland dates back to after World War II, with President Harry Truman offering Denmark $100 million for the territory in 1946, which was refused. In 1945, Senator Owen Brewster called Greenland a “military necessity,” supported by American military leaders, and in 1946, a State Department official noted that the Joint Chiefs of Staff believed the U.S. should aim to purchase Greenland. There were discussions between Secretary of State James Byrnes and Denmark’s Foreign Minister Gustav Rasmussen about a potential sale. Interest in Greenland goes back even further to 1867 when the State Department explored buying both Greenland and Iceland due to their strategic importance.
If Denmark were hypothetically to agree to sell Greenland to the United States, it would be the largest expansion of American territory in history, surpassing the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Despite the historical interest in acquiring Greenland by the United States, there are significant challenges and opposition to the idea from within Denmark itself. Danish officials have made it clear that they have no intentions of selling Greenland, as its independence would require approval by the Danish parliament and a change in the country’s constitution. The debate surrounding the potential acquisition of Greenland continues to evoke controversy and speculation, with supporters and opponents of the idea expressing their views on the matter.
Overall, the discussion around the United States purchasing Greenland involves a complex history of interest in the strategically beneficial Arctic landmass dating back to the mid-19th century. The idea has resurfaced periodically, with the most recent interest coming from the Trump administration. While the idea has generated curiosity and debate, Danish officials have firmly opposed the notion of selling Greenland to the United States. Whether or not this debate will result in any significant action remains to be seen, but the discussion highlights the potential strategic importance of Greenland and the challenges associated with acquiring it.
