President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his interest in buying Greenland, alleging that US ownership of the island is an ‘absolute necessity’ to protect global ‘national security and freedom’.
Trump, 78, made the stark declaration Sunday night as he announced his pick for ambassador to Denmark, PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, who also served as the US ambassador to Sweden from 2019 to 2021.
‘For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,’ he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during his first presidential term.
He was publicly rebuffed by Danish authorities – who reiterated the island was ‘open for business, not for sale’ – before any conversations could take place.
Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland comes amid a series of a comments about territorial expansion, including invading Mexico and turning Canada into a US state. He also threatened to reassert American control over the Panama Canal.
Although he has publicly mused about expanding US territory, Trump has not shared a specific plan to do so or revealed how much America would pay for such acquisitions.
The Charters Cities Institute, a DC based nonprofit which has analyzed a potential Greenland purchase, claims a purchase is unlikely unless the US were to make a bid that was enticing to all Greenlanders – such as offering $500billion split equally amongst all citizens.
President-elect Donald Trump (pictured Sunday) has reignited his interest in buying Greenland, alleging that US ownership of the island is an ‘absolute necessity’ to protect global ‘national security and freedom’
The US offered Denmark $100million in gold for Greenland in 1946, which adjusted for inflation was approximately $1.4billion in 2019. However, the valuation doesn’t include the natural resources or diplomatic importance that Greenland, the world’s largest island, currently holds. Pictured is the Greenlandic village of Kulusuk during winter (file photo)
Greenland, which covers 1.34million miles (2.16million kilometers), is a mineral-rich area that is almost entirely covered in ice sheets and holds strategic value for shipping routes, military interests and Arctic sovereignty
The US offered Denmark $100million in gold for Greenland in 1946, which adjusted for inflation was approximately $1.4billion in 2019.
However, the valuation doesn’t include the natural resources or diplomatic importance that Greenland, the world’s largest island, currently holds, Times Now News reports.
Greenland, which covers 1.34million miles (2.16million kilometers), is a mineral-rich area that is almost entirely covered in ice sheets and holds strategic value for shipping routes, military interests and Arctic sovereignty.
While Trump is interested in the benefits that American-control over Greenland would provide, it is unclear how the Greenlandic public would feel about a US purchase.
Greenlanders have been largely supportive of independence from Denmark, according to the Charters Cities Institute, which cited a poll from 2019 revealing that two-thirds of citizens ‘supported full independence’.
A poll conducted two years later also suggested that 69 per cent of Greenlanders supported closer cooperation with the US. That same poll also revealed that 68 per cent of people were in support of greater cooperation with Denmark.
Charters Cities Institute states that given the public’s support for independence, it is unlikely that Greenlanders would support America purchasing the island.
However, the organization suggested that a significant payout that put money in the pockets of each citizen ‘might change some minds’.
Analysts, proposing a hypothetical offer, suggested a $500billion purchase split evenly amongst all Greenlanders – which would provide each citizen with a roughly $8.7million check – might be enough to sweeten the deal.
Trump, 78, made the stark declaration Sunday night as he announced his pick for ambassador to Denmark, PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, who also served as the US ambassador to Sweden from 2019 to 2021
Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland comes as the president-elect has expressed interest in gaining control of the Panama Canal.
Trump on Sunday accused Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona, Trump said he would not let the canal fall into the ‘wrong hands,’ warning of potential Chinese influence on the passage.
After the event, he posted an image on Truth Social of an American flag flying over a narrow body of water, with the comment: ‘Welcome to the United States Canal!’
‘Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?’ Trump said at AmericaFest, an annual event organized by Turning Point, an allied conservative group. ‘Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else.’
Trump’s comments were an exceedingly rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory.
They also underlined an expected shift in US diplomacy under Trump, who has not historically shied away from threatening allies and using bellicose rhetoric when dealing with counterparts.
‘It was given to Panama and the people of Panama, but it has provisions,’ Trump said of the canal, which was once owned by the United States but was handed over to Panama decades ago.
‘If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question.’
In a recorded message released by Panama’s President Mulino on Sunday afternoon, the nation’s leader said that Panama’s independence was non-negotiable and that China had no influence on the canal’s administration. He also defended the passage rates Panama charged, saying they were not set ‘on a whim’.
It comes as Trump on Sunday threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino. Pictured is an aerial view of stranded ships in Limon Bay, near the Panama Canal exit to the Caribbean Sea in Colon, Panama, on November 7, 2024
In a message released by Panama’s President Mulino (pictured December 19, 2024) on Sunday afternoon, the nation’s leader said that Panama’s independence was non-negotiable and that China had no influence on the canal’s administration
Mulino said in his statement, which was released on X: ‘Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)’
China does not control or administer the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long managed two ports located on the canal’s Caribbean and Pacific entrances.
The US largely built the canal and administered territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the US and Panama signed a pair of accords in 1977 that paved the way for the canal’s return to full Panamanian control.
The US handed over control of the passage in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
‘Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama),’ Mulino said in his statement, which was released on X.
Trump then responded to Mulino: ‘We’ll see about that!’
The waterway, which allows up to 14,000 ships to cross per year, accounts for 2.5 per cent of global seaborne trade and is critical to US imports of autos and commercial goods by container ships from Asia, and for US exports of commodities, including liquefied natural gas.
It is not clear how Trump would seek to regain control over the canal, and he would have no recourse under international law if he decided to make a play for the passage.
