Trump and the purchase of Greenland: Messages for Europe and Norway about global security
Former US President and presidential candidate Donald Trump revived a long-standing controversy surrounding his desire to purchase Greenland, expressing confidence that European leaders would not strongly oppose the move if he were to return to the White House. Trump made these remarks during a conversation with a reporter in Florida, where he was asked about the expected reaction from European allies who oppose his plans.
Trump confidently replied, “I don’t think they’re going to fight back too much. We have to get it. This has to be done,” referring to his continued insistence on bringing the Danish crown island under American sovereignty.
A message to Norway and linking global security to Greenland
In a related development, Trump revealed a letter he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, which included an unconventional link between global security and US control of the Arctic island. Trump stated that “the world is not safe” as long as the United States does not have full control of Greenland.
The message also contained a personal rebuke, with Trump indicating that he no longer felt "obligated solely to work for peace," justifying this by citing the decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize despite his claim of having stopped more than eight wars. He wrote in his post: "Since your country decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize... I no longer feel obligated solely to work for peace.".
The strategic and geopolitical importance of Greenland
The United States' interest in Greenland is not merely real estate-driven; it stems from the island's crucial strategic importance amidst escalating international competition in the Arctic. Situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, Greenland is home to Thule Air Base, the northernmost U.S. military base, which plays a vital role in ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance.
Moreover, with the ice melting as a result of climate change, the region has become a stage for geopolitical competition between great powers, including Russia and China, to control new shipping routes and vast untapped natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, oil and gas; making control of the island a strategic objective of US national security.
Historical background: Previous American attempts
It's worth noting that the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland is not new, nor is it limited to the Trump era. Historically, Washington has attempted to buy the island several times; most notably in 1946 when President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold for the island, an offer that was rejected. American interest in the island also dates back to 1867.
Trump had sparked a minor diplomatic crisis in 2019 when he publicly floated the idea, which then-Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called a “ridiculous” idea, asserting that “Greenland is not for sale,” leading to Trump canceling a planned official visit to Copenhagen.
