The idea of the United States acquiring Greenland, famously floated by former President Donald Trump in 2019, was met with global bemusement and a firm rejection from Denmark. However, historical archives reveal this was far from a novel concept. The U.S. has seriously contemplated purchasing or controlling the vast Arctic island on at least three separate occasions before Trump, driven by its immense strategic and military value.
A Longstanding American Ambition
The first recorded American interest dates back to 1867, the same year the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia. Secretary of State William H. Seward, the architect of the Alaska deal, also directed the U.S. ambassador to Denmark to investigate the possibility of buying Greenland and Iceland. While this early initiative did not materialize into a formal offer, it set a precedent for viewing the region through a lens of strategic expansion.
The second major attempt came in 1946, in the formative years of the Cold War. President Harry S. Truman’s administration formally offered Denmark $100 million in gold for Greenland. The U.S. was deeply concerned about Soviet expansion and saw Greenland’s location as a critical asset for defense and as a potential base for military operations. The Danish government, still recovering from World War II, declined the offer, unwilling to part with sovereign territory.
The Cold War and a Persistent Strategic Focus
Despite the refusal, American strategic interest never waned. During the Cold War, the U.S. established the Thule Air Base in northern Greenland in 1951, under a bilateral defense agreement with Denmark. This base became a cornerstone of North American aerospace defense, hosting radar systems crucial for early warning against missile attacks. This arrangement granted the U.S. significant military access without ownership, satisfying immediate security needs while leaving the question of sovereignty aside.
The geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since the mid-20th century, but Greenland’s importance has only grown. Today, the focus encompasses not just military positioning but also:
- Vast mineral and rare earth deposits critical for modern technology.
- New shipping routes opening up due to climate change.
- Scientific research opportunities in the rapidly changing Arctic environment.
This renewed significance explains why Trump’s 2019 proposition, though presented in an unorthodox manner, was rooted in a long-understood geopolitical calculus. His suggestion, which included referring to the potential acquisition as a “large real estate deal,” was swiftly rebuffed by then-Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called the idea “absurd.”
Modern Implications and Future Contours
The historical pattern underscores that Greenland remains a persistent strategic priority in Washington’s foreign policy considerations. While an outright purchase is politically improbable, the U.S. continues to deepen its engagement with the island. In 2020, the U.S. reopened a consulate in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, and pledged significant economic investment, signaling a commitment to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic.
The saga of American interest in Greenland is a powerful case study in how geography dictates long-term strategy. From Seward’s vision in the 19th century to Truman’s Cold War offer and Trump’s 21st-century proposition, the motivations have consistently revolved around national security, resources, and global positioning. As the Arctic becomes a more contested space, the history of these failed bids informs the current delicate diplomacy between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland’s own increasingly assertive government.
Ultimately, while the methods and rhetoric may change, the underlying American objective—to secure a dominant foothold in the strategically vital Arctic—has shown remarkable consistency for over 150 years.
