In the months since his election victory, President Donald Trump has adamantly expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, threating the stability of the United States of America’s NATO alliance. Greenland, a sovereign country within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member, has been a long-time United States ally.
Greenland lies in the North Atlantic Ocean along the shortest route between North America and Europe, making it a vital defense outpost. During World War II, the United States built military bases in Greenland, one of which became permanent, that served to prevent a Nazi invasion.
During the Cold War, the permanent base, previously known as the Thule Air Base, became an early missile detection site. Currently,that base, renamed Pituffik Space Base, is manned by 200 troops and still provides America with crucial information.
Despite America’s existing military presence in Greenland, Trump has consistently attempted to justify an American acquisition of Greenland, under the guise of national security. In December, Trump brought up his interest in Greenland in a Truth Social post.
Danish and Greenlandic officials’ insistence that the island was not for sale did not deter Trump’s desire for Greenland. Since his Truth Social post, Trump has continued to tell the media of America’s need to own Greenland, for reasons of national security and freedom. He mentioned no specific concerns or America’s military presence there.
In early January, when reporters asked if he had ruled out using economic or military force to acquire Greenland, Trump replied that he had not. This threat to a NATO ally was a shocking move that prompted an outcry from many European nations. Trump’s dealing with Denmark has caused significant damage to the stability of our NATO alliance and the integrity of the United States. If Trump was truly focused on American national security, he would not be damaging our most important alliance.
There is no reason for America to incorporate Greenland as one of its territories for defense purposes. Greenland is already a substantial ally of the United States, which stated in its foreign, security and defense policy that it wanted to expand its defense alliance with America as it moved to be fully independent.
If Trump’s interest in Greenland was truly a matter of national security, he could have easily expanded America’s military presence there through diplomacy. He could have tried to form a compact of free association with Greenland, as the United States has with Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. This pact gives America functionally full military control while retaining a country’s sovereign status.
Trump wasn’t interested in diplomacy because his interest in Greenland wasn’t simply for national security purposes. Trump’s foreign policy, at least the one dictated towards the media, is clearly characterized by a “manifest destiny”-like ambition to expand. Along with Greenland, Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal and make Canada the 51st state. He also ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
While it is unclear, given Trump’s history of outlandish statements and how genuine he is in his intent to acquire North American territory by force, it is blatant that he is drawing the people’s attention away from the core issues on which he ran. President Trump’s policies in the 2024 election centered around domestic issues.
Yet, in his first few weeks in office, Trump has created diplomatic issues and damaged the integrity of America’s NATO alliance. American citizens aren’t benefiting from Trump’s antics, and the conquest of Greenland would not improve lives. Trump needs to stop playing media politics and focus on improving the livelihood and safety of the American people.
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