Greenland, the world’s largest non-continental island, has been on President Donald Trump’s mind for years. He first proposed acquiring Greenland from Denmark in 2019, initially as a joke but later with more urgency.
In January 2025, Trump declined to rule out using military force to seize control of the territory during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. His pursuit of Greenland has caused concern among European officials. According to the Financial Times, in a recent call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Trump threatened tariffs and left no doubt about his desire to acquire the island.
The renewed interest in Greenland stems from its strategic importance. It lies along major shipping routes that are becoming increasingly vital as Arctic ice melts and new trade corridors open up. Additionally, it is believed to hold significant deposits of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals crucial for modern technology.
Greenland’s role in the ongoing Arctic power struggle between Russia and China has also heightened its significance. The island, which has its own parliament and prime minister separate from Denmark, is not for sale according to Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice, and Gender Equality. Leaders in Denmark and Greenland have strongly rejected Trump’s overtures, viewing them as a form of US expansionism.