U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly committed to the idea of acquiring Greenland, viewing it as a means to enhance America’s influence in the Western Hemisphere and solidify his legacy, according to three sources familiar with his perspective.
On Tuesday, the Republican indicated that he would not dismiss the possibility of employing military or economic measures to obtain the Danish territory once he assumes office on January 20, alarming European allies who are concerned about the sanctity of borders amid rising global tensions.
Although Trump had previously mentioned the idea of acquiring Greenland during his first term, his recent statements suggest that this ambition is deeply rooted rather than a mere whim. A source informed Reuters that the former real estate mogul is not expected to resort to military action to take control of Greenland. However, he is serious about exploring alternative strategies, such as exerting diplomatic or economic pressure on Denmark, to secure the world’s largest island that is not classified as a continent.
“The true legacy is the expansion of the United States,” the source remarked. “In the last 70 years, we haven’t added any new territory to our holdings. He discusses it frequently.”
In 1959, Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as the 49th and 50th states under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower. Another associate of Trump noted that a list of foreign policy priorities compiled by senior Trump officials after his November 5 election victory prominently featured the goal of “Buying Greenland.”
Trump has characterized the potential acquisition of Greenland as a matter of national security. In response, Denmark has firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale. While Denmark has governed Greenland for centuries, the island’s 57,000 residents currently manage their own domestic affairs. Advisors to Trump have indicated that they anticipate a reallocation of U.S. foreign policy focus and resources towards the Americas if Trump were to assume office again. Trump harbors concerns about Chinese and Russian influence in the region, which he perceives as America’s sphere of influence, according to two advisors involved in Latin American policy planning.
Three current and former associates of Trump, who are knowledgeable about his perspectives, have noted that he is also keen on territorial expansion as a strategy to establish a lasting legacy. Recently, Trump has publicly suggested the idea of acquiring Greenland, taking control of the Panama Canal, and even integrating Canada into the United States. “Every decision President Trump makes is in the best interest of the United States and the American people,” stated Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, in a comment to Reuters. “This is why President Trump has highlighted genuine national security and economic issues concerning Canada, Greenland, and Panama.”
TRUMP’S INSPIRATION
One of Trump’s inspirations is former President William McKinley, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. During his presidency, McKinley oversaw the acquisition of several territories, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Trump has often lauded McKinley on the campaign trail for his implementation of expansive tariffs and, in December, expressed intentions to rename Denali— the name given by indigenous Alaskans for North America’s tallest peak— in honor of the 25th president.
An adviser to Trump, discussing the former president’s interest in Greenland, shared a social media post featuring a map of a proposed “super U.S.,” which would encompass both Canada and the United States. This concept, he argued, would diminish Russian influence in the Arctic, an area that has become increasingly significant in the context of Great Power rivalry.
Greenland is rich in oil, gas, and mineral resources and is strategically located near Arctic shipping lanes. These factors have gained importance for U.S. policymakers as Russia and China aim to enhance their presence in the Arctic. As part of NATO through Denmark, Greenland holds strategic value for the U.S. military, particularly for its ballistic missile early-warning system, since the most direct route from Europe to North America passes through this Arctic territory, which hosts the northernmost U.S. military base.
The specifics of how Trump would pursue the acquisition of Greenland remain uncertain. Some advisers during the transition period have informally considered the option of establishing a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Greenland, should the island achieve full independence from Denmark, as reported by Reuters in December. A COFA, which the U.S. currently maintains with three Pacific island nations, allows for a high level of economic integration while preserving the foreign country’s independence. It is unclear whether Trump is aware of these discussions.
A former national security adviser from Trump’s administration, which spanned from 2017 to 2021, revealed that Trump initially proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2017 and became increasingly serious about it by 2019. This interest prompted a series of meetings at the White House, during which advisers presented various strategies to enhance U.S. influence over Greenland. However, when Trump’s intentions were made public through U.S. media, Denmark publicly dismissed the proposal, and the administration ultimately did not pursue any actions to acquire the territory. Historically, the U.S. has attempted to purchase Greenland from Denmark; notably, in 1946, President Harry Truman’s administration made a covert offer of $100 million, which Denmark declined.
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