In a move that has reignited international tensions, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, sparking controversy with his suggestion that military force could be an option if negotiations fail. This bold claim has drawn fierce criticism and further highlights the growing importance of the Arctic as a theatre of global competition between major powers.
Trump’s Greenland Ambitions
Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, has long been a strategic asset due to its geographic position and untapped natural resources. Trump’s renewed interest stems from its growing value in a rapidly changing Arctic. As climate change accelerates the melting of polar ice, previously inaccessible reserves of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals are becoming exploitable. Simultaneously, emerging shipping routes through the Arctic could redefine global trade patterns.
Speaking to reporters, Trump characterized Greenland as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for securing American economic dominance. He emphasized its potential for bolstering national security, particularly with the United States’ Thule Air Base already established on the island. The base, a critical component of U.S. missile defence, underscores Greenland’s importance in monitoring and responding to threats from the Arctic region.
However, Denmark has firmly rejected the idea of selling Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described Trump’s previous attempt to purchase Greenland in 2019 as “absurd” and reiterated Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s sovereignty. Greenlandic leaders, too, have emphasized their autonomy, asserting that any decisions about the island’s future must come from its people.
Geopolitics in the Arctic
The Arctic has rapidly become a focal point of geopolitical competition, with its economic and strategic value drawing the attention of global powers. Russia, with its extensive Arctic coastline, has been aggressively expanding its presence. Over the past decade, Moscow has reactivated Soviet-era military bases, constructed new facilities, and conducted large-scale military exercises in the region. Advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, has been deployed to fortify its Arctic territories.
Russia’s ambitions extend beyond militarization. It is actively developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a shipping lane that offers a faster connection between Europe and Asia. The NSR could rival traditional routes like the Suez Canal, significantly reducing shipping times and costs. Furthermore, Russian energy companies such as Gazprom and Rosneft are heavily investing in Arctic oil and gas projects, eyeing the region as a cornerstone of future energy security.
China, despite its geographical distance, has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and is pursuing its own interests in the region. Through its Polar Silk Road initiative, part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative, China has invested in Arctic infrastructure, scientific research, and resource extraction. Greenland has been a key focus of Chinese interest, with Beijing financing mining projects for rare earth minerals critical to advanced technologies.
Chinese icebreakers and research vessels now operate regularly in the Arctic, and its collaboration with Russia in joint naval exercises has raised alarms in Western capitals. The deepening partnership between these two powers in the Arctic poses a significant challenge to U.S. and NATO influence in the region.
Greenland: A Historical and Strategic Overview
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of Canada’s Arctic Archipelago. Its history is deeply intertwined with Arctic exploration, survival, and global geopolitics.
The first known settlers of Greenland were the Saqqaq and Dorset cultures, followed by the Thule people, ancestors of today’s Inuit population, around 900 CE. Norse explorers led by Erik the Red established colonies on the island in the 10th century, with remnants of these settlements still visible today. The Norse colonies thrived for centuries before disappearing under mysterious circumstances in the 15th century.
Greenland became a Danish colony in 1721, part of a broader European effort to assert control over Arctic territories. In 1953, it was formally integrated into the Kingdom of Denmark, and in 1979, Greenland was granted home rule. A 2009 Self-Government Act further expanded its autonomy, although Denmark retains authority over defence and foreign policy.
Economically, Greenland relies heavily on fishing, hunting, and subsidies from Denmark, but it also harbours immense untapped potential. Rare earth minerals, vital for producing electronics, renewable energy technologies, and military equipment, are abundant on the island. The prospect of exploiting these resources has intensified global interest in Greenland’s future.
Potential Fallout
The implications of a U.S. attempt to acquire Greenland are profound and multifaceted. Should the United States pursue military action, it would risk a significant international backlash. Such a move could destabilize the Arctic region, provoke retaliation from Russia and China, and strain relations with key allies, particularly Denmark and other NATO members.
On a broader scale, using force to acquire territory would undermine established international norms regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. It would set a dangerous precedent, emboldening other nations to pursue aggressive territorial claims, potentially leading to conflicts in other regions.
Diplomatic efforts to strengthen U.S. influence in Greenland, however, could yield a more stable outcome. By investing in Arctic cooperation and engaging Greenlandic leaders directly, the United States could enhance its presence in the Arctic without resorting to confrontation.
President-elect Trump’s interest in Greenland highlights the island’s growing geopolitical importance in the 21st century. The Arctic is no longer a frozen frontier but a critical stage for global power struggles. With its vast resources and strategic position, Greenland is at the centre of these developments.
As global powers vie for dominance in the Arctic, the stakes are higher than ever. Whether through diplomacy, economic investment, or military posturing, the decisions made in the coming years will shape the future of the Arctic—and the global order—for decades to come.
