President-elect Donald Trump is reigniting his ambitious plans to acquire Greenland, which, if realised, would mark the most significant territorial expansion in U.S. history.
The Arctic island’s 836,330 square miles would eclipse the 827,987 square miles gained through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and surpass other historic acquisitions, such as Alaska and Texas.
The president-elect, 78, reiterated his strategic interest in Greenland during the announcement of Ken Howery, co-founder of PayPal, as his pick for U.S. ambassador to Denmark. This country has governed Greenland for over 300 years.
“For national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump declared.
This renewed push stems from Trump’s belief that Greenland’s strategic location and untapped natural resources make it a vital asset.
The island, sparsely populated with approximately 56,000 residents—primarily Inuit—plays a significant role in global shipping routes and houses key radar and weather installations.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, firmly rejected the proposition, asserting, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.” This sentiment echoes previous refusals in 2019 when Trump initially floated the idea of purchasing the island.
Despite resistance, Trump’s team has crafted detailed strategies to win Greenlanders’ favour. Former Treasury official Thomas Dans revealed that plans were drawn up during Trump’s first term, including a potential economic package to improve Greenland’s standard of living while preserving its autonomy.
Greenland relies heavily on a $500 million annual block grant from Denmark, which accounts for about 20% of its GDP.
Dans, whose grandfather served in Greenland during World War II, emphasised the island’s economic potential. “They’re asset-rich and cash-poor. This could be an opportunity for them to break free from economic dependence,” he noted.
Trump’s approach may involve a compact of free association, akin to U.S. agreements with Pacific nations like Palau and Micronesia. Such an arrangement would allow Greenland to maintain self-governance while benefiting from U.S. economic support and security guarantees.
In addition to Greenland, Trump has expressed interest in revisiting other territorial matters, including the Panama Canal Zone, citing concerns over high shipping fees and geopolitical threats from China. Panama’s leadership has already fiercely opposed the notion.
If successful, these expansionist ambitions could cement Trump’s legacy as a leader who revived U.S. territorial growth—a principle he regards essential to sustaining national power. “Trump believes empires that don’t grow begin to fail,” a source close to the president-elect said.
The United States has not made significant territorial gains in nearly a century, with the last substantial addition being the purchase of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1917. Trump’s vision reflects a historical precedent of expansionism but faces significant political and diplomatic hurdles.
Whether his administration can turn this vision into reality remains uncertain, but the debate over Greenland underscores the enduring allure of expansion in shaping U.S. policy and legacy.
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