Trump’s joint address to a rowdy Congress on March 4th contained a plethora of policy issues he plans to implement during his second term, stating his administration was “just getting started” and planned to make the American Dream “unstoppable”. His speech, which was one of the longest to lawmakers on record, backed billionaire turned-department head Elon Musk’s plan of slashing government funds, ridiculed Biden’s previous term and promised the resolution of the Russo-Ukraine war. Additionally, foreshadowing a second term of great power politics, he discussed an acquisition of Greenland as part of his expansionist policies (along with the Panama Canal). During Trump’s first term, he hinted at his desire to buy Greenland, the largest island in the world, although it was not “ No1 on the burner”. In this second term, on the other hand, Trump seems to be putting Greenland near the top of his list.
Greenland, home to around 56,000 residents, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, home to both Danish and US military bases and strategically positioned between the US and Europe. The island was originally governed as an isolated, relatively poor colony of Denmark for more than 250 years. However, in 1979, Greenland’s citizens voted for home rule, giving Greenland control of most of its home policies besides foreign affairs and defense to Denmark. Although much of Greenland’s economy relies on fishing, in recent years, due to climate change and melting ice, Greenland’s highly sought after natural resources such as zinc, iron, and gold as well as enormous fossil fuel reserves have become an international investment focal point.
During his speech to Congress, Trump explained that securing control of Greenland was crucial for global influence, military strategy, and national security. Trump had a strong message [for] the people of Greenland: the future is in their hands, and, if they chose to join forces with the states, Trump would “welcome them into the United States of America”. Then, with a pause and a nod, he added, “we will make you rich.” Trump has adopted a harsher tone in his second term and has suggested he wouldn’t rule out the use of force, stating that Greenland would be acquired “one way or another.” However, the majority of the residents of Greenland are not too thrilled about this possibility. The morning after the speech, Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede took to social media telling Trump “Greenland is ours”, explaining the island is “not for sale and cannot simply be taken”. He concluded by saying “our future will be decided by us in Greenland”. Anne-Katrine Nielsen, a senior assistant at Greenland’s police force added that Trump does not care for the people but instead wants Greeland for their mines and location in the world.
So, why does Trump want to obtain such a remote Arctic island? It comes down to resources and military location. International interest in the Arctic has been growing, as a race between the US, China and Russia emerges for the installation of military bases, and the acquisition of resources and shipping routes. Russia has begun building its Arctic military capabilities in recent years by constructing a robust military presence with nuclear powered icebreakers and missile systems. Greenland holds a specific and strategic position on the earth. Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College notes that “if Russia were to send missiles towards the US, the shortest route for nuclear weapons would be via the North Pole and Greenland.” Furthermore, Greenland holds a vast amount of untapped resources, rich in rare earth minerals such as uranium and iron, vital to tech companies and other industries. As a result, Greenland has attracted increasing competition from China, which in 2018, laid out its China Arctic Strategy, declaring the country will play a pivotal role in the arctic resource race. Lastly, a priority for all three countries, a shipping route between Greenland and the Arctic archipelagos has begun to open due to melting ice. Soon, with these routes, transport time between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans will be faster in Arctic transportation corridors when compared to using the Suez and Panama Canals.
During the Cold War, the Arctic was a critical zone for both the U.S. and the Soviet Union, serving as a site for nuclear deterrence and military positioning. The proximity of Greenland to both North America and Europe made it a significant location for the deployment of military bases, particularly Thule Air Base, which played a vital role in early warning missile systems and strategic defense against potential Soviet attacks.
But will history repeat itself? Just as the Cold War turned the Arctic into a proxy battleground for military confrontation, today’s geopolitical struggle over the Arctic could escalate tensions between the US, China, and Russia. Although the US completely controlling Greenland seems unlikely, the military buildup in the region, as well as the race to control resources and trade routes, bears striking similarities to the strategic maneuvers during the Cold War. With global powers once again focused on the Arctic’s military and economic potential, there is concern that competition in the region could spiral into a new sort of Cold War.