Politics
This is the real reason why Donald Trump wants Greenland to be a part of the US
While the incoming president has long been an admirer of the world’s largest island, and he wouldn’t be the first to covet the territory.
Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland for the United States may have come as a shock to many, but it is nothing new. While his approach may seem unconventional, the desire to control Greenland has been a recurring theme in U.S. foreign policy for over a century.
During World War II, Greenland’s strategic importance as a jumping point between America and Europe became evident. In 1940, following the German invasion of Denmark, the U.S. applied the Monroe Doctrine to Greenland for the first time, occypying the territory.
While it was returned after the war, the U.S. kept important military rights and the idea of it being sold was brought up.
Buying territory is not a new idea, and there is already a relationship between the U.S. and Denmark. Indeed, the U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from cash-strapped Denmark in 1917.
While Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the island is not for sale, Trump’s persistence and his willingness to consider economic or even military pressure, underscore the seriousness of his intentions. This approach, however, has strained relations with Denmark, a long-standing U.S. ally and NATO member.
Why Greenland is so important in 2025
The key factor is Greenland’s vast mineral wealth. The island possesses substantial deposits of rare earth elements, which are critical for modern technologies and energy production. Its reserves include some 1.5 million tonnes of the stuff, almost 20% of the planets total.
With China currently dominating the global supply of these minerals, securing access to Greenland’s resources would reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese exports and bolster its economic security.
Greenland also has potential offshore oil and gas reserves in Baffin Bay, the Davis Strait, and the northeastern part of the territory.
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