President Donald Trump has reignited his long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark, framing the move as essential for U.S. national security and touting potential economic and geographical advantages.

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Trump first publicly floated the idea in August 2019, during his initial term in the White House. At the time, he confirmed he was considering purchasing the vast Arctic territory for strategic reasons, though he noted it was not his top priority. Danish officials rejected the proposal, calling Greenland not for sale and prompting Trump to cancel a planned state visit to Copenhagen.

Fast forward to 2026, and Trump has escalated his interest following his reelection. In a recent statement, he declared that the United States needs Greenland “from a national security standpoint,” adding that Denmark “is not gonna be able to do it.”

This comes amid reports of increased Russian and Chinese activities in the region, including naval presence near the island. White House senior adviser Stephen Miller echoed this sentiment, stating that “nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

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Geographically, Greenland’s position offers significant strategic value. The island straddles the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, a critical naval choke point connecting the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic. It hosts the U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, which supports about 150 American service members and monitors submarine activity and potential missile threats from Russia over the North Pole. 

Economically, acquiring Greenland could unlock vast resources. The territory holds substantial reserves of oil, natural gas, critical minerals, and rare-earth elements, all of which are vital to technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems. China currently dominates the global rare-earth market, using it as leverage in trade disputes, and U.S. control of Greenland’s deposits could reduce dependence on foreign supplies. 

Analysts project these assets could provide economic advantages for decades, bolstering American industry and security.

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Denmark has pushed back firmly against the idea. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. attempt to annex Greenland by force would mark “the end of NATO,” underscoring the alliance’s foundational principles since World War II.

U.S. lawmakers from both parties have urged restraint, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissing military action as unlikely and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowing legislative blocks if needed.

The administration has appointed a special envoy to explore options, but details remain sparse. As discussions unfold, the focus remains on balancing national interests with alliances forged over decades.