The historic importance of Greenland for US national security as debate over island's future roars on

During a surprise visit to Greenland by Donald Trump Jr. this week, President-elect Donald Trump is showing increased seriousness in his consideration to purchase Denmark’s Arctic territory.

In a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, the president-elect left the possibility of using military coercion on the table when questioned about gaining control of Greenland. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two,” Trump responded when asked if he would exclude military or economic coercion from the options to gain control of Greenland, stating, “We need it for national security. That’s for the free world. I’m talking about protecting the free world.”

Denmark’s leadership, however, remains firm in their stance that the Arctic territory is not available for sale. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated on Tuesday, “We have a clear interest in that it is the U.S. that plays a large role and not Russia or other countries. But Greenland is for the Greenlandic people.”

Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Trump Jr., right, poses for a photo as he arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

“We’ve long had a military base in the north of Greenland to track former Soviet, now Russian incoming missiles or satellites. And because of climate change, navigation around Greenland and travel to Greenland is becoming more accessible,” Goodman said.

Then-President Harry Truman wanted to buy Greenland after WWII to box out the Soviets from the Arctic. During the Cold War, the Arctic region was the most direct route for a strategic nuclear exchange between the U.S. and the USSR using long-range bombers and ballistic missiles. The GIUK Gap to the east of Greenland is a huge access point for Russia’s operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Greenland became a key location for early-warning networks and today is home to the northernmost U.S. military installation, Pituffik Space Force Base, which holds a substantial portion of the global network’s missile warning sensors and space surveillance sensors.

The new Pituffik Space Base sign showcased at the headquarters building at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, April 6, 2023. Pituffik, previously known as Thule Air Base, was renamed April 6, 2023.

The new Pituffik Space Base sign showcased at the headquarters building at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, April 6, 2023. Pituffik, previously known as Thule Air Base, was renamed April 6, 2023. (U.S. Space Force)

China’s ambitions in the Arctic have grown in recent years. In 2018, China laid out plans to build infrastructure and develop shipping lanes opened by climate change. State-owned businesses have put in bids to buy land in both Iceland and Greenland, so far with no luck.

Temperatures are rising in the Arctic four times faster than they are in the rest of the world, making access to the rare earth minerals it holds more accessible.

“In this rush for resources, the U.S., NATO, and NATO allies want to ensure that China and Russia don’t access that. China has a history of using surrogate science and investigation as a way to gain access and learn about territories in the Arctic,” Goodman said.

Snow-covered mountains with a height of up to 1,000 meters can be seen near the research station Kings Bay in Ny-Alesund on Spitsbergen Island, Norway, on April 10, 2015. Arctic research stations of China, Norway, Germany, and France, manned throughout the year, are now operating on the grounds of the former mining site on the Svalbard archipelago.

Snow-covered mountains with a height of up to 1,000 meters can be seen near the research station Kings Bay in Ny-Alesund on Spitsbergen Island, Norway, on April 10, 2015. Arctic research stations of China, Norway, Germany, and France, manned throughout the year, are now operating on the grounds of the former mining site on the Svalbard archipelago. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh was asked about Greenland at a Defense Department briefing on Wednesday. “I’m certainly not going to get into hypotheticals. I think that’s for the incoming administration to speak to,” Singh said. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded to a question about Greenland at a press conference in Paris on Wednesday. “The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one. But maybe more important, it’s obviously one that’s not going to happen. So we probably shouldn’t waste a lot of time talking about it,” Blinken said.

You May Also Like
Vile Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell is fired from DEI consulting job for abusing female Packers supporter

Disgraceful Eagles Fan Fired from Job for Mistreating Female Packers Fan

After a video surfaced showing a Philadelphia Eagles supporter verbally attacking a…
Iran's president denies claim that Iran tried to assassinate Trump

Iran’s leader refutes accusation of attempting to kill Trump

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country “never” plotted to assassinate President-elect…
Manhunt underway after US Marshal deputy shot and killed in Houston

Search in progress for suspect after deputy US Marshal is shot and fatally wounded in Houston

A manhunt is underway after a deputy was shot and killed while…
Heartbreaking final words of Blues Brothers actress Dalyce Curry before she was killed in California fires

Tragic last words of Blues Brothers actress Dalyce Curry as she perished in California wildfires

Dalyce Curry was eager to get back home in Altadena, Calif. after…
'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' part of Chicago's acclaimed Doc10 festival, will be shown at Davis Theater Wed.

“Liza’s Incredible True Story Debuts at Doc10 Festival in Chicago, Screening at Davis Theater on Wednesday”

CHICAGO (WLS) — “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story” is a…
Even liberal media is giving Trump credit for the Hamas hostage deal... despite Biden claiming it was down to him

Despite Biden’s claims, even liberal media acknowledges Trump’s role in Hamas hostage deal

There was some consensus achieved among the panelists on CNN NewsNight late…
LA Mayor Karen Bass posed for photos at a cocktail party as Palisades Fire exploded

Karen Bass, the Mayor of Los Angeles, was photographed at a cocktail party as the Palisades Fire intensified

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has found herself in the midst of…
California wildfires: A retro blue Volkswagen bus miraculously survives deadly Los Angeles fire

Miraculous Survival: Vintage Blue Volkswagen Bus Escapes Lethal Los Angeles Wildfire

LOS ANGELES — Preston Martin thought his beloved retro blue Volkswagen bus,…
American woman on Paris-to-Boston flight dies in midair

Female American passenger passes away during flight from Paris to Boston

The identity of a Kansas woman who died on an Air France…
Southwest Airlines pilot arrested at Georgia airport for allegedly showing up to work intoxicated: police

Police: Southwest Airlines pilot arrested in Georgia airport for suspected intoxication on duty

A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested shortly before takeoff on Wednesday in…
Why EV giant with a contract for 100k USPS trucks has suddenly offered to convert them to gas

Reason behind the EV company’s decision to convert 100k USPS trucks to gas after securing contract

The company behind the United States Postal Service’s all-electric mail trucks has…
MrBeast joins bid to buy TikTok to save it being banned in America claiming he's had offers from billionaires to make it happen

MrBeast Joins Effort to Purchase TikTok Amid Ban Threat in the US, Citing Interest from Billionaires to Support the Cause

MrBeast has joined the bid to buy TikTok in an attempt to save…