Any opposition or rhetroic against acquiring Greenland clearly has not studied this issue nor have they studied the long history the United States has with Greenland and our attempts at gaining it as a territory going back over 100 years.
President Trump has stated interest in acquiring Greenland for the United States. As usual we see the instant negativity and even people calling his interest as "crazy" just to say anything opposite of what he says. It's important to turn off fake news and propagnada and just get some facts.
"News flash, America has tried acquiring Greenland for over 100 years."
America's Icy Dream: The Fascinating Story of U.S. Interest in Greenland
Did you know that the United States has been eyeing Greenland for over a century? It's true! This icy island has captured American attention since the early 1900s, leading to some pretty wild ideas and important historical events. Let's dive into this cool tale of diplomacy, war, and secret underground bases!
1867: The First Serious Attempt
Secretary of State William Seward, famous for purchasing Alaska, considered acquiring Greenland and Iceland from Denmark. This plan was proposed by Robert J. Walker, a former treasury secretary and American expansionist. Walker's report highlighted Greenland's mineral wealth, fishing grounds, and strategic importance. However, the plan was leaked and ridiculed in Congress, leading to its abandonment.
A Bold Proposal
Imagine swapping tropical islands for a giant ice cube! In 1910, that's exactly what the U.S. ambassador to Denmark suggested. The plan? Trade the Philippines for Greenland and some Caribbean islands. Talk about a chilly deal!
1910: A Complex Proposal
U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Maurice Francis Egan proposed a complicated scheme involving:
- The U.S. acquiring Greenland from Denmark
- Exchanging the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Palawan for Greenland
- Denmark ceding these Philippine islands to Germany
- Germany giving parts of Schleswig to Denmark in return
This proposal was rejected by Denmark.
World War II Changes Everything
When Germany invaded Denmark in 1940, America saw a chance to protect Greenland. For a whole year, the U.S. Coast Guard played pretend, sending "volunteers" to avoid looking like invaders. By 1941, it was official – Greenland became a U.S. protectorate. American soldiers built bases, turning the icy landscape into a strategic stronghold.
The $100 Million Offer
After the war, President Truman had a bold idea: buy Greenland outright! In 1946, he offered Denmark a whopping $100 million in gold. Denmark said "no thanks," but this led to new agreements that kept America involved in Greenland's defense.
The Cold War Heats Up in the Arctic
The 1950s and 60s saw Greenland become a key player in the Cold War:
- The U.S. built the massive Thule Air Base, moving entire villages to make room.
- A secret project called "Iceworm" tried to hide nuclear missiles under the ice (it didn't work out).
- America gained special rights to use and build military sites all over Greenland.
American Financial Support
America has provided significant economic support to Greenland through targeted aid packages, strategic investments, and technical partnerships since 2019, driven by both development goals and geopolitical interests. Here's how:
Financial Aid Packages
- $12.1M (2020): Focused on mineral resource development, tourism, and education, with U.S. specialists advising Greenland’s energy and mining sectors.
- $10M (2021): Expanded support for mining, tourism, and workforce training.
- $50M/year (2025): Ongoing engagement strategy combining public diplomacy and economic incentives.
Infrastructure Development
- Airport upgrades: U.S. invested in dual-use (civilian/military) infrastructure to counter Chinese bids and improve Arctic logistics.
- Pituffik Space Base: A $3.95B maintenance contract (2022) sustains operations at this critical Arctic hub, indirectly supporting local businesses.
Trade & Business Initiatives
- USAID's DEMD Program: Launched the Enterprise Driven Growth Initiative to boost sustainable ecotourism and U.S.-Greenland trade partnerships.
- Mining partnerships: Technical training programs with the University of Utah and incentives for U.S. companies to develop rare earth minerals.
Education & Capacity Building
- University collaborations: University of Alaska Fairbanks leads State Department-funded projects to strengthen Greenland’s education and mining sectors.
- Workforce training: Specialized programs for Greenland’s underground mining industry.
Geopolitical Countermeasures
- Blocking Chinese influence: U.S. pressured Greenland to reject Chinese-backed mining projects and infrastructure deals.
- Consulate reopening (2020): Strengthened diplomatic ties and economic coordination from Nuuk.
Controversies
- Danish officials criticized aid as inappropriate for Greenland’s developed status.
- Greenlandic politicians emphasized aid must come “without conditions”.
These efforts aim to reduce Greenland’s reliance on Danish subsidies ($600M/year) while securing U.S. Arctic interests against Russian and Chinese competition.
Greenland Today: Space Base Pituffik
Fast forward to 2025, and Greenland is still super important to the U.S. The old Thule Air Base got a new name – Pituffik Space Base. Here's what makes it special:
- It's the northernmost U.S. military base, closer to the North Pole than any other.
- The Space Force uses it to watch for missiles and track satellites.
- About 650 people work there, including Americans, Danes, and Greenlanders.
- A huge radar helps protect North America from surprise attacks.
Recent Interest
In 2019 and again in 2025, President Donald Trump expressed strong interest in acquiring Greenland. It's only logical due to Russian and Chinese desires for moving into Greenland:
- Trump cited national security concerns and strategic importance as reasons for wanting to purchase Greenland
- He suggested the U.S. might use economic pressure or even military force to gain control of the island
- These proposals were firmly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland
We highlight the potential benefits of the United States taking over Greenland, as outlined in historical and contemporary analyses, center on strategic, economic, and geopolitical advantages. Here's a breakdown of the key considerations:
Strategic Military Advantages
- Arctic Dominance:
Greenland’s location between North America, Europe, and Russia makes it critical for Arctic defense. Control would allow the U.S. to:
- Expand Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), enhancing missile warning systems and space surveillance capabilities to counter Russian and Chinese Arctic militarization.
- Secure emerging shipping routes like the Northwest Passage and Transpolar Sea Route, which could reduce reliance on traditional chokepoints (e.g., Suez Canal) as ice melts.
- Deterrence Against Rivals:
- Block Russian and Chinese ambitions in the Arctic, where both nations have increased military and economic activity. China’s “Polar Silk Road” and $90B Arctic investments pose a strategic challenge.
Economic and Resource Benefits
- Access to Critical Minerals:
Greenland holds 39 of 50 minerals deemed vital to U.S. national security, including rare earth elements (neodymium, dysprosium) essential for renewable energy, defense tech, and electronics. Current U.S. aid focuses on developing Greenland’s mining sector to reduce dependence on China.
- Energy Reserves:
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates 17.5B barrels of oil and 148T cubic feet of natural gas lie offshore, though extraction is hindered by environmental concerns and harsh conditions.
- Commercial Shipping:
Greenland’s position along future Arctic trade routes could offer economic leverage, with 5% of global shipping potentially using these corridors by 2050.
Geopolitical Leverage
- Countering Foreign Influence:
U.S. control would preempt Chinese or Russian efforts to establish Arctic bases or resource partnerships, as seen in past attempts to block Chinese mining investments.
- Strengthening NATO:
Greenland’s role in NATO’s Arctic defense strategy is already significant. Full control could streamline coordination, though current agreements already permit U.S. military operations.
Control of Greenland offers strategic resources and Arctic dominance. Rather than wait for the Chinese or Russians to offer a significant deal that Denmark can't refuse, a deal to take Greenland now would be most beneficial in the near term and future.
Challenges on the Horizon
Running a base in the Arctic isn't easy. The U.S. is spending billions to keep the base in good shape and make it more energy-efficient.
Essentially, the United States has protected Greenland at a significant cost however it remains extremely important that the United States is able to maintain a presence.
While America doesn't own Greenland, this long history shows just how important this icy island has been – and continues to be – for U.S. strategy and defense. From World War II to the Space Age, Greenland remains a crucial piece in America's global presence.
Any opposition or rhetroic against acquiring Greenland clearly has not studied this issue nor have they studied the long history the United States has with Greenland.