Icy moves: Trump’s policy ambitions in the Arctic begin with Greenland

Chiefly among Trump’s more controversial pronouncements on the international stage have been renewed claims of the annexation. This time, it involves territories both with sovereign claims to the Arctic: Canada and Greenland. While Trump has focused his claims of annexation on Canada on the basis of border control,  Greenland has been of interest to Trump’s plans for the Arctic since his first presidency from 2016-2020. 

The Arctic is a region with vast deposits of economically valuable mineral resources such as iron ore and copper, with immense economic benefit to humankind, including major reserves of oil and gas. Greenland, a sparsely populated territory in the Arctic, is rich, too, in natural resources. Retreating ice caps have revealed deposits of rare-earth metals and other minerals which has generated surges of interest in Greenland’s mining sector.  However, in recent years, there has been blowback to commodity extraction from Greenlanders, particularly where uranium is concerned. 

While Greenland is politically and culturally associated with Denmark, with foreign affairs and defense run by the Danish government – Greenland has its own extensive local government. The population is 88% Greenlandic Inuit with a total of 56,367 inhabitants as of July 2020, and the majority of Greenlandicx Inuit refer to themselves as Kalaaallit. In 2009, the island gained self-rule over the majority of its internal affairs, such as transportation and resources..  

Despite these basic and essential facts about Greenland, Trump is pushing forward on claims of purchasing Greenland from Denmark, undermining their self-determination and autonomy. Historically, Trump’s vision for the Arctic has included Greenland as a key strategic advantage. In 2019, Trump floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark – a proposal that was met with significant skepticism and outrage from both Denmark and Greenland, calling the notion “absurd.” As global astonishment rose from Trump’s comments, a state visit to Denmark was cancelled upon Trump learning that the Greenlanders, indeed, had no desire to be bought. However, Trump’s initial claim in purchasing Greenland had many of his supporters positing the view that this comment, while inflammatory, sparked the beginning of a new geopolitical dominance. Trump’s second term as president has not wavered from the topic of acquiring Greenland, despite clear disapproval from the island. In December 2024, Trump reiterated similar sentiments over the ownership and control of Greenland. During a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House in March of 2025, when prompted about a possible annexation, Trump stated: “I think it will happen…we need [Greenland] for international security.”  Trump made this comment days after Greenland held its 2025 general election, in which independence from Denmark was one of the most pressing issues on the ballot.  

Greenland’s 2025 election revealed the unexpected rise of the center-right Demokraatit party, which favours gradual independence from Denmark – but does not seek the integration with the United States. Since the Demokraatit did not secure an outright majority, it would need to form a coalition with the Siumut and Inuit Ataqatiggit parties, respectively. While Demokraatit and Siumut share common ground on gradual independence from Denmark and economic development, Siumut’s emphasises more responsible resource extraction and economic stability which could create tensions with Demokraatit’s more market-driven approach. Inuit Ataqatiggit,, on the other hand, aligns with Demokraatit on independence but desires a stronger focus on environmental protection and cautious resource extraction, which may require compromises in their approach to economic policy. Regardless, Greenland’s 2025 election revealed a rejection against furthering relations with either Washington or Copenhagen. 

Trump’s calls to purchase Greenland from Denmark are largely rooted in the desire to counteract Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. His rhetoric, however, duly impacts both the geopolitical order of the Arctic and the sovereignty and autonomy of Greenlanders. The United States already has a military presence on the island through Pituffik Space Base out of a defense agreement with Denmark. Trump’s second presidency has been regarded to be less ideological, and more transnational. Given Trump’s pursuit of economic coercion to enact a new order of American statecraft, it is worrisome to consider the potential U.S. retaliatory measures against Greenland’s refusal to be bought.